STRATEGIC CHARITY PARTNER
JACK.ORG
Jack.org was founded in 2010 by Eric Windeler and Sandra Hanington in response to the loss of their son, Jack. Like so many young people in Canada, Jack didn’t know how to reach out for help and struggled in silence. Realizing this story is all too common, Eric and Sandra became committed to fundamentally changing how we think and talk about mental health in Canada. They quickly discovered that young people are the most effective leaders in this conversation, and they created Jack.org to listen to and amplify their voices.
Jack.org is Canada’s only charity training and empowering young leaders to revolutionize mental health in every province and territory. Through Do Something, Jack Talks, Jack Chapters, and Jack Summits, young leaders identify and dismantle barriers to positive mental health in their communities. And through ambitious innovations in youth mental health like Be There, Jack.org gives people the mental health resources they need to educate themselves.
As the Foundation’s Strategic Charity Partner in Canada, Jack.org has received monetary grants totaling over $461,000 CAD since 2020. Together, we’ve impacted 77,453 youth and counting through this funding.
GET INVOLVED
- Explore and share Do Something
- Learn and share Be There
- Bring a Jack Talk to your local community, in-person or online
- Join the conversation on social and get updates on all the latest content
YOUNG ADULTS + MENTAL HEALTH
- Suicide is the leading health-related cause of death among young people in Canada, accounting for 25% of youth deaths. (Statistics Canada, Table 102-0561. Leading causes of death, total population, by age group and sex, Canada, 2015)
- Youth aged 15-24 years have the highest rates of mood and anxiety disorders of all age groups in Canada. (Statistics Canada, Table 105-1101 Mental health profile, Canadian Community Health Survey - Mental Health (CCHS), by age group and sex, Canada and provinces, 2013)
- Up to 70% of mental health problems and illnesses begin in childhood or adolescence. (Mental Health Commission Canada, Youth Strategy, 2016)
- 75% of young people with mental health problems and illnesses do not access services or treatment. (Mental Health Commission Canada, Youth Strategy, 2016)
OUR GLOBAL STRATEGIC CHARITY PARTNERS
UNITED STATES
Active Minds is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization promoting mental health awareness and education for young adults. Through education, research, advocacy, and a robust presence in high school and college campuses, they are changing the culture around mental health.
Learn More
UNITED KINGDOM
The Mix is the UK's leading digital charity for young people and has reached over 4.1 million youth in 2019. Whatever issue a young person is facing, The Mix is always there for them - via their website, over the phone or via social media. They connect young people to experts and their peers to talk about everything from money to mental health, homelessness to jobs, break-ups to body kindness and more.
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AUSTRALIA
batyr exists to smash the stigma around mental health and increase help seeking rates. Through sharing real, relatable and resilient mental health stories in a safe and impactful way, batyr are changing the way young people view and talk about mental health and access support. Created by young people, for young people, batyr are taking a positive approach to mental health education and prevention.
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NEW ZEALAND
Lifeline’s counsellors have supported New Zealanders for 58 years through their trusted, well-known 24/7 community helpline (0800 LIFELINE). They provide free, safe, confidential support that can be accessed anywhere in New Zealand, at any time – as they believe every young New Zealander should be able to access support when they need it.