RBC Youth Health Innovation Challenge

Young people in Nova Scotia are facing more challenges than ever before – from academic stress and anxiety to navigating the tumultuous world we live in. And on top of that, the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have only made things more difficult.

But young people are resilient and they have the power to create positive change in their communities. By empowering our youth and inviting them to the table to be actively part of the discussion, together we can develop innovative solutions to the mental health challenges they face.

Generous QEII Foundation donors, RBC Foundation and a community of supportive donors, have contributed $150,000 towards the RBC Youth Health Innovation Challenge to discover and enable youth-led solutions.

Informed by lived experiences, Nova Scotians between the ages of 16 to 25 are encouraged to develop unique, youth-oriented solutions for mental health care.

The nature of the solutions is up to each presenter, but could include community-based resources, culturally sensitive or multilingual resources, a crisis-intervention tool, or a digital platform that connects youth with mental health resources.

These potential solutions will be presented and ‘pitched’ through various regional competitions across the province. Winners selected of the regional events will receive a cash prize and move on to the Pitch Finals at the Health Innovation Hub for the final event where one innovative idea will be chosen and moved forward into implementation.

Joining the QEII Foundation as partners of this unique project are IGNITE Atlantic, Kids Help Phone, the Nova Scotia Health Mental Health and Addictions Program, and IWK Health.

Together, we’re embracing the next generation of innovators and bringing them into our fold.

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