Breaking Barriers: The Viv-Action Jeunesse Project and the Birth of the Vivago Mental Health Foundation

Mental health care should be accessible, inclusive, and stigma-free. Yet, for many young adults, seeking support remains a daunting challenge due to financial barriers, long waiting lists, and systemic discrimination. That’s why Clinique Vivago launched Projet Viv-Action Jeunesse, a free mental health service tailored to marginalized young adults in Quebec.

The impact has been profound. Through this initiative, almost 300 young adults received free mental health appointments, and over 1,000 benefited from group support and social interactions. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with a 100% satisfaction rate and countless testimonials expressing deep gratitude for the services provided.

Voices of Transformation

• "Excellent team! I have learned a lot, overcoming blockages to unlock potential."

  
  

• "Personnel accueillant et accompagnement par une équipe de professionnels qualifiés."

  
  

• "The clinic is great. It has made mental health care more accessible. My clinician is dedicated and offers a safe and supportive environment."

  
  

• "My clinician at Clinique Vivago has been an incredible support. As part of their free mental health services for young adults, she provided compassionate, professional guidance and went above and beyond to help me. Her support made a significant difference. I highly recommend Clinique Vivago to anyone seeking dedicated, accessible mental health support. Thank you!"

  
  

• "J'ai eu la chance de recevoir des services gratuits dans le cadre du programme Viv-Action Jeunesse, et j'en suis énormément reconnaissante. Merci à ma clinicienne pour sa bienveillance, son écoute et sa présence! Elle offre un espace accueillant pour les personnes queer, racisées et neurodivergentes. J'espère que ce programme pourra être étendu sur le long-terme. :)"

  
  

• "J’ai découvert la clinique grâce à leur nouveau programme de rendez-vous en santé mentale gratuite pour les jeunes adultes et j’aimerais dire un gros merci pour cette belle initiative à tous ceux qui y en font partie. J’ai eu trois rendez-vous pour mon anxiété et j’ai vraiment aimé l’expérience! J’ai apprécié la facilité de communication ainsi que l'approche très amicale, ça m’a permis de me détendre rapidement et de me confier comme si j’étais avec une bonne amie, ce que je trouve difficile habituellement avec un professionnel de la santé.

  Je recommande fortement le programme aux jeunes adultes qui comme moi se sentent anxieux et toujours pressés dans cette vie qui avance à vitesse grand. Le fait que les rendez-vous sont gratuits aide grandement puisque je suis étudiante et ce n’est jamais évident de recevoir de l’aide en santé mentale à prix réduit, un gros merci à ceux qui donnent de leur temps et aux investissements dans un tel programme. Les outils et trucs donnés par ma clinicienne fonctionnent bien et me sont utiles sur une base quotidienne, j’en suis très reconnaissante. Merci beaucoup pour tout!!"

  
  

• "5/5! I am fortunate to fit the criteria of the free young adult mental health service at Clinique Vivago. My case manager is brilliant! I appreciate her listening as well as her energy. She brings back aspects of our previous sessions so that we can continue the work as we move forward. She’s ready to welcome me where I’m at and challenges me, as per my request, to dig deeper into my emotional processing.

  I’m a 28-year-old, non-binary, Canadian/Brazilian who just lost their father to pancreatic cancer. I feel heard, supported and extremely grateful for my experience with Aranya. I hope this service continues for others to benefit from <3 Thank You!"

  
  

• "I had an incredible experience with my clinician. From the very start, her warm and approachable demeanour immediately put me at ease. I never expected to laugh during the session, but she managed to make me smile and feel genuinely uplifted throughout.

  Her professionalism is matched by her ability to connect on a personal level, creating an environment that felt both comfortable and empowering. I left the session feeling lighter, more positive, and truly seen.

  I cannot recommend her highly enough to anyone seeking a compassionate, skilled, and personable professional."

Breaking Down Barriers: The Statistics Speak Volumes

• 100% satisfaction rate from young adults who accessed the program.

• 100% wished the free services could continue, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable funding.

• 75% were previously on a waiting list for mental health care in the public system, highlighting the service’s impact on reducing strain on their waitlists.

• Close to 300 young adults received free mental health appointments, while over 1,000 benefited from group support and social engagement.

  
  

Demographic Breakdown

• Gender:

  • Women: 67% | Men: 20% | Non-binary: 13%

  • We believe these statistics are influenced by the stigma that discourages men from seeking mental health support, reinforcing the notion that they should suppress their emotions. Additionally, stigma around coming out may make non-binary individuals hesitant to seek care, though those who do seek help might find services like Vivago more affirming.

• Age Groups:

  • 18-21: 23% | 22-25: 31% | 26-29: 46%

  • People between the ages of 18-25 are often covered by their parents’ insurance, which reduces the demand for free services in this age bracket, hence impacting these statistics. However, as they age out of parental insurance coverage, the need for accessible mental health care rises significantly. Furthermore, as people enter the workforce and become more independent, some become at risk of losing their support systems, needing to seek external help.

    
    

A Lasting Legacy: The Birth of Fondation de santé mentale Vivago

In the wake of this success, it became clear that a long-term solution was necessary to ensure mental health support remained accessible for marginalized young adults. Between August 1st and September 30th, 2024, Clinique Vivago launched a crowdfunding campaign, raising $58,585 with the support of individuals and organizations, including le Secrétariat à la jeunesse du Québec.

Inspired by the overwhelming demand and the life-changing impact of Projet Viv-Action Jeunesse, the Fondation de santé mentale Vivago was born. This initiative aims to:

1. Fund mental health services for underserved communities, especially those at the intersection of multiple marginalized identities, including 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals.

2. Educate and train healthcare professionals and communities on inclusive, affirming, and culturally safe mental health care.

3. Expand access through outreach, awareness campaigns, and innovative solutions to reduce stigma and reach those who need support the most.

   
   

Looking Forward: A Future of Mental Health Equity

The journey is far from over. With continued community support, we can build a future where mental health care is a right, not a privilege. Thank you to all our partners, donors, and supporters for making this possible.

To learn more or contribute to the Vivago Mental Health Foundation, visit our website and be part of the change.