Grant: Catalyst Grant: Cannabis and Mental Health- First Nations/Inuit/Métis approaches

Cannabis use and mental wellness are important issues in the lives of most young people, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and fentanyl overdose crisis. Despite this, young people are rarely supported to draw on their lived experience to lead and participate in research and education related to cannabis use and its impacts on mental wellbeing in a way that responds directly to their concerns, priorities, and perspectives. This is particularly so for young people who are members of marginalized and equity-seeking groups, including those who identify as LGBTQ2S+, racialized and Indigenous youth, immigrant and refugee youth, youth in foster care, and youth living in poverty. With GREENHOUSE, we will generate youth-led evidence for action regarding youth mental wellness in relation to cannabis use. We will accomplish this with activities that are grounded in and responsive to young people's lived experiences. First, we will assess the current state of research on youth cannabis use and mental health in collaboration with youth. Following the evidence review, researchers, decision-makers, and youth will be engaged in discussions on the ways in which the current evidence resonates (or does not) with their experiences. From there, youth will be supported to undertake self-directed learning journeys on cannabis and mental health. Next, youth will apply their learnings from the two previous activities to the creation of youth-led theatre performances and community dialogues centred on youth mental health and cannabis use that will take place in schools and the community. Our Indigenous health partners will ensure that the project proceeds with concrete demonstrations of cultural safety and humility. We believe that this youth-led approach to research and education on cannabis use and mental health can be done in a similar manner across Canada, building a foundation for integrating youth voices in the topics that are important and relevant to their lives.