Youth Advisory & Action Council

Youth Advisory & Action Council

BY YOUTH, FOR YOUTH

A dedicated and diverse group of youth in the Lower Mainland who advise on McCreary's research and take action to lead their own projects to improve youth health and well-being in BC.

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The YAC is a volunteer group of youth ages 15–24 from BC's Lower Mainland who want to make a difference in their communities.


The YAC is an opportunity for youth to meet new people, be part of fun and interesting projects, and share their voice on issues that matter to youth.

The YAC plans its own events and initiatives, participates in McCreary's projects, and works on activities sponsored by other agencies. 


The YAC also leads the Youth Action Grants  and provides grant writing workshops for youth who want to learn more about the process.

The YAC is open to any youth ages 15–24 who live in the Lower Mainland. (If you live in other parts of BC, check out the BC YAC and YHA!)


The group is voluntary and meets every other week, alternating virtual and in-person meetings at the McCreary office. Two YAC members also sit on McCreary's Board of Directors, to make sure youth voice is at the centre of the Society's work.

NOW RECRUITING NEW YAC MEMBERS!

The YAC is looking for youth with diverse voices & ideas to join!
If you are 15–24 years old, live in the Lower Mainland BC, and are passionate about youth health, please email youth@mcs.bc.ca to learn more about the YAC and how to join!

YAC PROJECTS & RESOURCES

Browse the YAC's current resources and projects to engage BC youth in discussions about important youth health topics. Find more posters and other materials in the Resource library.

Nicotine use among BC youth: Key findings

Supporting youth with their social media use

Gambling & gaming among BC youth: Key findings

Supporting youth mental health: School staff

Supporting youth mental health: Parents & guardians

Cannabis use among BC youth: Key findings

Promoting school safety: Role of students

Promoting school safety: Role of caregivers

Promoting school safety: Role of school staff

2023 BC AHS: Key findings

The YAC has developed the Friends helping friends poster series, which offers tips for youth on how to support their friends while also caring for their own well-being on a variety of topics. Want to add your own resources? Email mccreary@mcs.bc.ca for a customizable version! 

Friends helping friends:
Gaming & gambling

Friends helping friends: Disordered eating

Friends helping friends: Mental health

The YAC also develops other resources to share research findings and engage BC youth in discussions about important health and well-being topics.

The YAC conducted a photovoice project focused on physical activity and what it meant to them. VIEW   

To share findings from the 2023 BC AHS, the YAC developed a board game that guides players through different experiences that can affect youth health and well-being. In playing the game, youth learn and engage with BC AHS data, and discuss risk and protective factors to healthy development.


Want to purchase a board game for your classroom or group? Email mccreary@mcs.bc.ca for more information.

Following the 2023 BC AHS, the YAC created zines to reflect on the topics they felt were most important to them. These zines share data, reflections, and art on the following topics:

The YAC also facilitates other workshops and projects focused on youth health and well-being topics:

Grant writing workshop

Want to apply for a YAG but don't know where to start? The YAC provides a workshop to help youth learn all about grants, including how to write a strong grant application. Email youth@mcs.bc.ca to learn more!

To learn more about the YAC, please email youth@mcs.bc.ca.