Just Be You

Just Be You is a youth-led, youth designed peer program for individuals ages 12–26* run in partnership with community organizations in Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia. Note: *Age of participants varies depending on the program.

At its heart, Just Be You is built on a simple idea: young people do better when they're supported by other young people who get it. The program isn't clinical, and it isn't therapy. It's a space where youth come together to connect, share, and build skills alongside peers who understand what they're going through because they've been there too.

Every Just Be You program is shaped by the community it serves. Activities, format, and age focus vary from place to place, because no two groups of young people need exactly the same thing. What stays consistent is the model: youth-led, youth-designed, and rooted in the belief that being yourself is key.

Just Be You also provides opportunities for youth to be involved in advocacy, program outreach and development, research, and advisory opportunities in connection with community partners. Just Be You believes in the mantra of "Nothing about us without us" - where youth set the agenda not just provide feedback; lived experience is seen as expertise; and nothing gets decided without youth "at the table".

Just Be You is powered by Shine Out! Shout Out!, which has been raising funds and awareness for youth mental health since 2013. Since its launch in 2014, the Just Be You program is offered at no cost to youth, and it runs alongside - not in place of - professional mental health services. Funds raised are held in the Just Be You Fund at the Oakville Community Foundation.