Small, persistent and impossible to ignore: CMHO 2026

Small, persistent and impossible to ignore: CMHO 2026

By: Amy Porath

I’ve spent most of my career looking for answers in data, research and the real-life experiences of young people and families. I love the clarity they provide in a system that often feels complicated.

At the Knowledge Institute, we take those insights and turn them into tools and resources that help strengthen services and support change across the system. I’ve been doing this long enough to know that a single resource won't...

The person behind the performance: How pressure shapes us

The person behind the performance: How pressure shapes us

Poppy DesClouds has been performing for as long as she can remember. She started ballet at two-and-a-half and began playing violin at three. Performance was a core part of her childhood.

But like many people who grow up performing, she eventually noticed a gap.

People could be deeply committed to what they loved and still hit a wall. Sometimes there’s a shift where something that once felt joyful suddenly feels heavy, frightening or out of reach.

Our Quest cohort 5 projects are coming to life

Our Quest cohort 5 projects are coming to life

We’re thrilled to welcome 7 new teams from across the province into ourQuest cohort 5—each one ready to level up their organizational processes and spark meaningful change. Over the next year, these teams will work closely with the Knowledge Institute’s QI coaches, learning from one another, building their QI expertise, and strengthening a culture of continuous quality improvement (CQI) within their organizations.

Our QI coaches are also kicking things off...

Leading with purpose in the child and youth mental health and addictions sector

Leading with purpose in thechild and youth mental health and addictions sector

By: Nicholas Watters

I joined the Knowledge Institute as Executive Director just over a year agoafter nearly 13 and a half years at the Mental Health Commission of Canada.At the time,my youngest son was only six months old. The timing wasn't ideal, but then again, when is it? Sometimes the most meaningful decisions happen when the stakes feel personal. 
I have three boys — now eight, five and a year and a half. And as they've grown,...