The Cause

Too many young people are struggling

As many as 1.25 million youth in Canada will experience some form of mental health problem, yet 3 out of 5 will not receive the treatment they need. This is often due to the reluctance of young people to speak up, with stigma being the primary barrier. Additionally, the complexity of the mental health-care system, with over 800 treatment providers, centres, and programs in Ontario alone, makes it difficult for youth to find the support they need.

Recognizing the urgent need for more accessible mental health care, particularly for youth and families in vulnerable communities facing significant systemic barriers, FNP is expanding in Ontario to address this growing demand, adding seven new representatives to better serve these communities.

Sunnybrook’s Family Navigation Project (FNP) is a free service that pairs youth aged 11 to 29 who have mental health and/or addictions challenges, and their families, with clinically trained navigators who connect them with the services they urgently need. FNP serves families in the Greater Toronto Area and some communities in Ontario.

About the Family Navigation Project

Since 2013, The Family Navigation Project (FNP) at Sunnybrook has been working to help youth and their families quickly access the right mental health and addictions care for their needs.

This free service connects youth aged 11 to 29 experiencing mental health and addictions issues, and their families, with clinically trained navigators who help them access the services they need, when they need it.

FNP collaborates within and beyond mental health and addiction services. The team is forging partnerships with housing, employment, education, and advocacy to create a more comprehensive support system for youth and families.

Learn more.

Funded entirely by donations

Your support for RBC Race for the Kids is critical. Sunnybrook’s Family Navigation Project (FNP) is not only the first-of-its-kind and largest navigation program in Canada, but it is also funded by generous supporters like you.

Your fundraising efforts will have a life-changing impact on youth suffering with mental illness and addiction. Over the years, you helped the FNP team support over 6,000 youth and over 5,000 families in our community.

By volunteering to collect donations through RBC Race for the Kids, you’re joining a community working together to help youth reach their potential.

Jonathan’s Story

When Jonathan first participated in the RBC Race for the Kids in 2013, he had no idea how much it would impact his life. The race introduced him to Sunnybrook’s Family Navigation Project (FNP), which provided essential support for Jonathan and his family as they navigated his mental health and addiction challenges.

In his first year at university, Jonathan’s mom turned to FNP for help in finding resources for his ADHD, anxiety, and depression. “When I was diagnosed, the biggest realization was that this was what life was supposed to feel like—a very calming sensation,” he says. This diagnosis and medication gave Jonathan the clarity he needed, marking a life-changing moment.

A few years later, after admitting to his addiction, Jonathan’s mom reached out to FNP again to help him find a rehabilitation program. After completing a nine-week inpatient program, Jonathan credits FNP for helping him find the right program and turning his life around. “I’ve learned so much about myself, and I’m now nearly 20 months sober,” he shares.

This journey ignited Jonathan’s passion for mental health advocacy, particularly for high school students. He believes there’s immense value in hearing from those with lived experience, especially peers.

When Jonathan’s mom shared FNP’s call for Youth Advisory Council (YAC) members, he knew he wanted to get involved.

Nearly a decade after his first race, Jonathan finds this year’s race even more meaningful due to the life-changing support FNP has given him.

By signing up for RBC Race for the Kids on September 20, 2025, you can help youth like Jonathan find a brighter future.

Register Now