Northwestern Ontario

Help in Hand Initiative to Support Youth Mental Health in Northwestern Ontario

Connecting Young People With the Right Care

The Help in Hand initiative is part of Dr. Aislin Mushquash's (pictured) broader research program focused on helping young people thrive in an increasingly digitally connected world.

Thunder Bay, Ont. – For youth in northwestern Ontario, timely access to mental health care is a significant challenge. To fill this service gap, researchers at Lakehead University are launching the Help in Hand initiative in partnership with community mental health agencies and School Mental Health Ontario.

With a $2 million investment from Health Canada's Youth Mental Health Fund, the initiative expands access to youth mental health supports in schools across northwestern Ontario. Help in Hand will bring digital mental health tools directly into schools—where young people spend much of their time—and create stronger links to additional care when it is needed.

Led by Dr. Aislin Mushquash, a clinical psychologist and Lakehead’s Research Chair in Youth Mental Health, the initiative is part of her broader research program focused on helping young people thrive in an increasingly digitally connected world. Designed to complement, not replace, existing mental health services, Help in Hand adds another layer of support to help young people connect with the right level of care based on their current needs.

“I’ve worked as a clinical psychologist in our community for 13 years and have seen how young people often face unique barriers to accessing support,” said Dr. Mushquash. “Help in Hand is about providing practical, evidence-based tools while strengthening links to the broader mental health system. Our hope is that this initiative will lead to a better understanding of the impact of digital spaces and technologies on youth mental health.”

Recognizing that educators are often the first point of contact when youth experience challenges, Help in Hand will provide school communities with specialized training and resources to navigate the evolving digital mental health landscape, find high-quality tools, and measure their impact. Participating students will have access to JoyPop, a research-backed app that helps youth strengthen their emotion regulation skills and improve overall well-being.

Dr. Mushquash and her research team are working closely with a network of community partners, including Dilico Anishinabek Family Care, Children’s Centre Thunder Bay, Thunder Bay Counselling Centre, School Mental Health Ontario, and McGill University’s Ludic Mind Studio, to improve the effectiveness, timeliness, and cultural appropriateness of integrated mental health care for youth and their support systems.

Help in Hand will directly benefit youth, families, and schools across the region, while the knowledge generated will help inform how education and healthcare systems make decisions about the integration of digital technologies nationwide.

Quotes

“Community organizations, like Lakehead University, are key to strengthening youth mental health because they understand the needs and realities of young people in their communities, especially those facing the greatest barriers to care. Through Health Canada’s Youth Mental Health Fund, our government is helping young people access mental health care where they feel safe and supported. Supporting young Canadians today means building a Canada strong for generations to come.”

The Honourable Marjorie Michel
Minister of Health, Government of Canada

"When young people have access to the right supports at the right time, they are better able to thrive at school, at home, and in their communities. The Help in Hand initiative reflects the innovation and collaboration that Northwestern Ontario is known for, bringing together educators, researchers, and community organizations to improve access to mental health supports for youth. I'm proud to see partners across our region leading this important work."

The Honourable Patty Hajdu
Member of Parliament – Thunder Bay Superior North
Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor), Government of Canada

“The Help in Hand program demonstrates Lakehead University’s commitment to social responsibility in interactive online systems and the mobilization of research into real-world solutions that directly serve the needs of our community. By expanding mental health support within our local educational framework, Lakehead continues to lead in research that fosters thriving, resilient communities.”

Dr. Langis Roy
Vice-President, Research and Innovation, Lakehead University

“The Help in Hand project is an important step forward in improving access to mental health supports for youth across Northwestern Ontario. By increasing digital mental health literacy, providing evidence-informed tools, and strengthening pathways to care, the project will help youth and families find support sooner and more easily. Dilico is proud to partner in this work and to help ensure that Indigenous youth and their caregivers have access to resources and services that support wellness, resilience, and positive mental health outcomes.”

John Dixon
Director of Substance Health and Special Projects, Dilico Anishinabek Family Care

“Helping young people thrive means ensuring they have access to evidence-informed mental health supports that reflect the realities of their lives today. The Help in Hand initiative brings together digital mental health literacy, practical supports, and strong partnerships with schools to help students, educators, and families build confidence and wellbeing. We are excited to partner on this important work and help bring it to school communities across Ontario.”

Dr. Kathy Short
Executive Director, School Mental Health Ontario

Keywords:

Help in Hand

JoyPop

Youth mental health

Northwestern Ontario

Lakehead Celebrates King Charles III Coronation Medal Recipients

It's an exciting time to be at Lakehead! Several members of the university community have joined a select group of Canadians who've been awarded a King Charles III Coronation Medal. This honour was created to recognize individuals who've demonstrated outstanding service and excellence within their communities, and it is the first Canadian commemorative medal to mark a coronation.

Pipe Major Lorne Clifford, Dr. Christopher Mushquash, Dr. Roopa Rakshit, Dr. Alla Reznik, and Dr. Michel S. Beaulieu, along with several Lakehead alumni, were presented with this medal by Thunder Bay—Superior North MP Patty Hajdu at a special ceremony in March. Their contributions span diverse fields and encompass developing better breast cancer detection, improving access to mental health and addictions treatment in the region, fostering stronger community relationships through music, increasing our understanding of northern Ontario history, and making Thunder Bay a welcoming and inclusive place for newcomers from across the globe.

"With numerous inspiring nominations from across our community, the selection process was challenging," MP Hajdu noted in her letters to northwestern Ontario recipients. "Being chosen as one of only 35 medalists is a remarkable achievement and a testament to your dedication and contributions."

Pipe Major Lorne Clifford

"I've been piping since I was 11 years old and I've competed in North American championships, but what I love most about the bagpipes is the camaraderie it fosters and the opportunity to bring members of the community together. It is awe inspiring to receive the King Charles III Coronation Medal and to be in the company of such wonderful representatives of our region."

Community Contributions:
Pipe Major Lorne Clifford is the founder and musical director of the Thunder Bay Police Pipe Band and a member of the Lake Superior Regiment Pipes and Drums who is being honoured for his more than four decades of volunteer service through music. He is also Lakehead University's Director of Security Services, a vital member of the Lakehead campus, and a Lakehead alum who holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science degree. Under his leadership of the Thunder Bay Police Pipe Band, he has fostered greater understanding between the police and the community and created a robust musical organization that performs at countless ceremonial and memorial events in addition to raising funds for diverse causes and social issues. Pipe Major Clifford's commitment to cultural diplomacy has seen him represent Canada internationally at performances in Australia as well as performances in Kenya, Sudan, and Palestine while serving as a Canadian Peacekeeper—harnessing the power of music to foster cultural exchange and community building. In addition, he's passing along the piping tradition as a teacher and mentor.

Dr. Christopher Mushquash

Dr. Christopher Musquash stands outside in a forested area in the winter

"Being from northwestern Ontario motivated me to work to help improve health outcomes for rural, northern, and Indigenous communities by reducing disparities in access to treatment for mental health and addiction services. For me, this medal is a shared recognition with my community partners, colleagues, trainees, and students, and an acknowledgement of the importance of Indigenous-led research and clinical care."

Community Contributions:
Dr. Christopher Mushquash, an Anishinaabe clinical psychologist and member of Pays Plat First Nation, is being honoured for his contributions to Indigenous mental health and addiction services. He is a psychology professor at Lakehead University and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Director of Lakehead's Centre for Rural & Northern Health Research, Vice President Research at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and Chief Scientist at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute, and a Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Mental Health and Addiction. He is also a Lakehead alum who earned both his MA and Honours Bachelor of Science degrees at the Thunder Bay campus. His integration of traditional Indigenous knowledge with evidence-based practices has received numerous accolades, including the Canada Gairdner Momentum Award and a Champions of Mental Health award. He is known for his integrity and compassion, which is evident through his mentoring of the next generation of health professionals and his reshaping of the Canadian mental health field to overcome systemic problems.

Dr. Roopa Rakshit

"It was overwhelming to receive this honour—it was like the feeling I had when I received my PhD from Lakehead. Many people helped me when I arrived in Thunder Bay by providing me with support and opportunities to grow. Now I give back by welcoming newcomer women, helping international students thrive, and fostering cross-cultural understanding."

Community Contributions:
Dr. Roopa Rakshit empowers international students as the Manager of Agency Relations & Pathways with Lakehead University International and is an inspirational volunteer. She is being honoured for her contributions to international partnership relations and enrolments, research administration, and sustainable community development. She earned a PhD in Forestry from Lakehead focused on energy transition strategies for remote First Nation communities and has been a strong environmental advocate, working with organizations like Eco Superior. Dr. Rakshit has taken important strides in making Thunder Bay a more inclusive and vibrant city, including co-founding the International Tapestry Women's Network, coordinating the One City, Many Voices newspaper column, hosting the Asian Vibes TV show, and serving as a member of Thunder Bay's Anti-Racism & Equity Advisory Committee. She has received multiple awards, including the 2020 Respect Award and the 2017 Lakehead Luminary Award for her many worthy initiatives.

Dr. Alla Reznik

"My students are really the recipients of this medal, and I'd like to share the award with my trainees at all levels. Together, we are advancing breast cancer detection through the development of innovative medical imaging technologies, designed and developed in Canada. Our work improves patient outcomes and decreases the cost of breast cancer detection—I believe that this country can be a pioneer in health innovation."

Community Contributions:
Dr. Alla Reznik is a renowned physicist and researcher specializing in medical imaging technologies who is being honoured for her health-care breakthroughs. She is a Lakehead University physics professor, a Senior Scientist at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute and a Canada Research Chair in the Physics of Radiation Medical Imaging. Dr. Reznik and her team developed the groundbreaking Positron Emission Mammography (PEM) device. This life-saving technology enhances breast cancer detection by using molecular imaging to distinguish between cancerous and normal cells. Specifically, PEM uses a radiotracer to detect small masses and early breast cancer in younger high-risk women, women with dense breast tissue, and women with inconclusive mammography results. This innovation led to the founding of Radialis, a company that's commercializing PEM technology for use in hospitals and clinics. In addition to advancing cancer diagnosis techniques, Dr. Reznik gives back as a community educator, sharing her expertise at regional forums.

Dr. Michel S. Beaulieu

"Being recognized as an educator and for my passion for history and volunteerism is an honor. I've had the privilege of working alongside some truly remarkable individuals at the regional, provincial, and national levels. This recognition is as much a reflection of what I've learned from them and what we've achieved together as it is about my own contributions."

Community Contributions:
Dr. Michel S. Beaulieu is an outstanding volunteer and distinguished educator who's being honoured for his contributions to his community, province, and country through decades of volunteerism. He has dedicated countless hours to preserving and promoting the history of northern Ontario, including as a member of the board of directors of the Multicultural History Society of Ontario and the Northwestern Ontario Archivists' Association and as a past president of the Thunder Bay Historical Museum Society, the Champlain Society, and the Ontario Historical Society. He is Lakehead University's Associate Vice-Provost (Academic), a history professor, and a Lakehead alum who holds MA, HBA, and BEd degrees. Dr. Beaulieu has helped shape the lives of students, especially from rural communities, and is a philanthropist who has established student awards and scholarships. He serves as Honorary Colonel of the Lake Superior Scottish Regiment and recently received the Cruikshank Gold Medal from the Ontario Historical Society.

Our congratulations to each of the King Charles III Coronation Medal recipients—you've demonstrated what can be achieved when individuals pledge themselves to the greater good of others and to society. We are proud to count you as members of the Lakehead community.

Keywords:

King Charles III Coronation Medal

community service

Northwestern Ontario

New Work by Alumni and Faculty in the 2018 Papers & Records

The 2018 issue of the Thunder Bay Historical Museum Society's journal Papers & Records features articles by alumni exploring aspects of Northwestern Ontario's history.

2018 P&R

In recognition of the hundredth anniversary of the construction of the “Outlaw Bridge” over the Pigeon River in 1917, alumna and part-time faculty member Beverly Soloway explores how it enabled the “Scott Highway” to connect the Lakehead with Minnesota providing a link to American personal and business interests, opportunities for a growing automobile service industry, and new ventures in travel and tourism.

Alumnus Richard Mastrangelo examines how newsletters like The Steep Rock Echo and Steep Rock Features can be used to illustrate relationships between manager and miner for most of SRIM’s four-decade long operation. He argues that, together, the papers frame questions which go beyond records of mineral production and consumption. How did various groups negotiate and express positions on socially sensitive topics? Did the newsletters support free worker expression or manager dictation? How was control maintained and destroyed by broader political, social, and economic realities?

Alumnus Mark Chochla investigates the efforts of Dr. Edward Oliver, of Fort William’s Medical Officer of Health, to build a professional department of health that worked systematically to save the lives of infants and children during the early twentieth century. As Chochla demonstrates, Oliver was fearless in advocating policies to modernize the city and to improve the health of residents and had the courage to persist with public health reforms even when many opposed him.

The issue also features an interview with former Métis Nation of Ontario Senator the late Bob McKay (1935-2018). One of his life-long passions was the region’s lighthouses; having worked as a light keeper and caretaker for lighthouses on the Great Lakes until 1979. In 2014, Bob was one of the founders of what has now become Canadian Lighthouses of Lake Superior.

Papers & Records is a peer-reviewed journal co-edited by Beth Boegh and Department Chair Michel S. Beaulieu. Submissions on any aspect of the history and heritage of Northwestern Ontario are welcome (email michel.beaulieu@lakeheadu.ca)

Keywords:

Northern Ontario

Northwestern Ontario

canadian history

Faculty Members Recognized for Contributions to Northwestern Ontario

Congratulations to faculty members Nathan Hatton and Kelly Saxberg who were recognized last week by Thunder Bay-Superior North MP Patty Hajdu for their contributions to Northwestern Ontario.

The Superior Northerners campaign celebrates people working to make a difference in Northwestern Ontario and the recipients were awarded certificates of recognition and Canada 150 Sesquicentennial pins last Friday at the Waverley Resource Library.

To read more, click here.

Keywords:

Department of History

awards

Northwestern Ontario