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, contributed $150,000 towards the RBC Youth Health Innovation Challenge to discover and enable youth-led solutions. 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.

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

The nature of the solutions were 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 were presented and ‘pitched’ through various regional competitions across the province in spring 2024, with winners selected of the regional events receiving a cash prize and moving on to the Pitch Finals in May 2024 at the Health Innovation Hub.

Team New Glasgow walked away winning top prize for their award-winning solution, the Sociable App. The app is aimed at providing a safe source of connection, community, and resources for students on post-secondary campuses in Nova Scotia.

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

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