By Alejandra Wells
Bonjour from Canada! 🇨🇦✨
This past summer, I had the surreal opportunity to attend the ICAN Summit in Montréal, Québec, Canada, and trust me, it was more than just croissants and cobblestone streets (although those were a vibe too). It was about youth, research, and real-world change.
ICAN stands for International Children's Advisory Network, and the ICAN Research Summit is where kids, teens, and young adults from across the globe come together to elevate youth voices in pediatric research and healthcare policy. It's a place where young people aren't just listened to. We lead.
I was invited to share my peer-led mental health research and represent the Hiya mission of mental health advocacy and suicide prevention. Being able to present my findings in front of global healthcare leaders, researchers, and even pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer was something I'll never forget. I felt nervous, yes, but mostly... powerful.
Walking into a room filled with professionals, I kept thinking, "No one expects a teenager to be making a position paper or presenting research in front of Pfizer." And that’s exactly why it matters.
Because every young person has the ability to shake the room and use their voice.
In our session, I got to speak about how mental health resources need to be created with youth, not just for them. My research focused on what makes young people feel seen, safe, and supported, and the data showed exactly what Hiya stands for: connection, vulnerability, and creativity.
Beyond the presentations, I met other youth leaders from countries all over the world. We shared our cultures, passions, and projects, and it reminded me just how global our fight for mental health really is.
This trip wasn’t just about research. It was about representation.
Every young person has the ability to shake the room and use their voice. No one expects a teenager to be making a position paper or presenting research in front of Pfizer. If you have a problem that is important to you and needs a solution. Be the change. It’ll help people around you see you and your mission.
See the journey in photos: ICAN Montreal Photos below.
I came back from Montreal with more than memories. I came back with momentum.
