#MHForAll Webinar: Youth Reimagining Leadership in Mental Health
Young people are more than beneficiaries of mental health interventions - they are experts in the programmes and circumstances that affect their own mental health and should be fully included and facilitated to lead in discussions and decisions about their wellbeing. We often hear the terms youth leader, advocate, and changemaker. When are these buzzwords, and when do they hold real depth and direction? What happens when youth lead, and lead differently?
On 22nd July, 2025, we turned to the experts to address these questions.
Expert panellists:
Judah Njoroge, The Resilience Project, Kenya
Anne-Sharlene Murapa, Kurapa Moyo, South Africa
Cat Pham, EMBRACE Vietnam, Vietnam
Jaclyn Schess, Generation Mental Health, USA
Erica Zissis, Being Initiative, Canada
What does “youth being at the forefront” look like in your hands, your community, your context?
The panellists each painted a vivid picture of what youth leadership looks like in practice. Anne described it as “not asking for permission” - leading and co-producing change in communities now, rather than waiting to be invited. Cat reminded us that there are many ways to meaningfully contribute, particularly in mental health spaces where engagement can take different forms.
Erica highlighted how young people are already driving priorities at a national level, influencing funding and shaping innovation through advisory groups. Jackee emphasised the need for enabling environments where young people can genuinely inform decisions, rather than simply being present.
What opportunities helped you step into your role, and what obstacles came in the way, visible or invisible?
For Jackee, her own lived experience and youth-led initiatives provided an entry point, though she often encountered ageism and resistance in non-youth-led spaces. Cat spoke about the barriers created by underfunding, unclear structures within the mental health ecosystem, and limited opportunities. Yet, she also saw these gaps as a chance to create new solutions and strengthen youth engagement. Anne echoed the challenges of underfunding but shared how indigenous knowledge and systems had opened up opportunities to lead in ways grounded in community wisdom.
How do you think identities such as gender, race, class, and mental health diagnoses shape how youth leaders are perceived? And how do you claim space anyway?
The panel reflected on how identity deeply influences both the perception of youth leaders and their access to opportunities. Erica emphasised the need to claim space unapologetically, pointing out that diversity is essential to drive meaningful change and innovation.
Jackee spoke about the importance of recognising difference and creating inclusive spaces that allow young people to show up authentically, with confidence built through capacity strengthening. Anne shared how creative tools can help include people with varied challenges, and how embracing difference can spark new solutions. Cat added that humility and curiosity are key, reminding us that youth leadership must remain open to more voices than just our own.
How do you balance showing up for others and holding space for your own well-being and your role as a leader?
Balancing personal growth with leadership responsibilities was a theme that resonated with all panellists across the discussion. Anne was clear: “Your mental health matters as well,” and no role should come at the cost of one’s own wellbeing. For her, collaboration was an important way of sustaining leadership without burning out. Jackee echoed this, highlighting the importance of collaboration both within teams and across the broader mental health ecosystem.
Erica reminded us that it’s possible to lead and learn at the same time, and that prioritising personal wellbeing is what enables leaders to show up fully. Cat spoke about the power of transparency, explaining how honesty in reaching out to others helps build supportive networks. She also stressed the importance of mentorship and cross-generational collaboration.
To support youth leadership, Global Mental Health Action Network (GMHAN) members must:
Jackee: “recognise that young people are experts in their own experiences.”
Anne: “continue funding opportunities for engagement and collaboration in key decision-making processes.”
Erica: “champion youth to feel trusted to lead.”
Cat: “engage young people in meaningful advocacy.”
Judah: “co-create solutions with youth.”
