Beyond Business: JA & Zurich Tackle Canada's Youth Mental Health Crisis

TORONTO, ON – February 24, 2026 – In a significant move to address the escalating mental health challenges facing Canadian youth, JA Canada is expanding its multi-year collaboration with Zurich Canada and the Z Zurich Foundation. The initiative aims to embed mental well-being and resilience training directly into JA’s established suite of youth programs, with an ambitious goal of positively impacting over 355,000 young people in the next three years.

The partnership, first launched in 2022, is being reaffirmed and scaled at a critical time. It represents a strategic shift for an organization traditionally known for fostering financial literacy and entrepreneurship, signaling that mental fortitude is now considered an indispensable component of success for the next generation.

Redefining Youth Preparedness

For decades, JA Canada has equipped students with the skills to navigate the economy. Now, it is redefining what it means to be prepared for the world by placing mental health on par with work readiness and financial acumen. The renewed collaboration moves beyond a standalone curriculum, weaving mental well-being into the very fabric of its core offerings.

"Mental well-being is not separate from the foundational pillars of JA Canada, it is fundamental to achieving success within them," said Scott Hillier, CEO of JA Canada, in a statement. "When young people feel supported, resilient and empowered, they are better equipped to succeed."

This integration is most evident in programs like JA’s signature Company Program, where students create and run their own businesses. The curriculum will now explicitly include modules on managing stress, building resilience against setbacks, and fostering healthy team dynamics—skills crucial for both entrepreneurship and life. Similarly, the Success Skills Program will expand to cover emotional regulation and adaptability alongside traditional career skills.

The partnership also includes targeted initiatives like the Youth Mental Well-being Challenge, a flexible resource with interactive activities designed to help youth build healthy habits. By focusing primarily on students in Grades 7-12, the program aims to build resilience during the key academic, social, and career transitions when pressures often intensify.

A Proactive Response to a Growing Crisis

The initiative is a direct response to a stark reality: the mental health of Canadian youth is in a state of serious decline. Recent data reveals a troubling landscape where access to care fails to meet the overwhelming need. According to Mental Health Research Canada, while nearly 28% of youth require mental health support annually, only 19% can access the services they need, creating a vast and dangerous gap.

Statistics paint a grim picture. The proportion of youth rating their own mental health as "fair" or "poor" more than doubled between 2019 and 2023. Suicide remains the second leading cause of death for young Canadians aged 5-24. These challenges are even more acute for marginalized communities, including 2SLGBTQI+ and Indigenous youth, who face significantly higher rates of mental health disorders and suicidal ideation.

By focusing on prevention and early intervention, the JA and Zurich collaboration aims to build a crucial upstream barrier to this crisis. Instead of waiting for youth to require clinical intervention—a system already strained with year-long waitlists—the program provides accessible, school-based tools that empower students to support their own well-being. The previous phase of the partnership showed promising results, with 80% of participants expressing a stronger understanding of mental well-being and 90% reporting increased confidence and resilience.

The Power of Strategic Philanthropy

This ambitious undertaking is powered by a significant commitment from Zurich Canada and its philanthropic arm, the Z Zurich Foundation. For the foundation, this Canadian initiative is a key part of a broader global strategy focused on youth mental well-being.

"By focusing on prevention and delivering mental wellbeing content, tools and resources to young people JA Canada is helping to break down stigma and equipping tomorrow's leaders to realize their full potential," stated Andrea Davis, AVP, Regional Engagement Manager for North America and Bermuda at the Z Zurich Foundation.

Globally, the foundation supports over 30 programs and ranks as a top philanthropic funder in mental health. Its approach emphasizes transforming the system through innovative tools and strategic partnerships, such as a major collaboration with UNICEF. The work in Canada serves as a model for how corporate and philanthropic resources can be deployed to create scalable, preventative solutions.

This commitment extends beyond financial support. The partnership actively engages volunteers from Zurich Canada, who act as mentors and program facilitators. This provides students with direct connections to professionals who can model healthy work-life balance and demonstrate that mental well-being is valued in the corporate world.

"Mental wellbeing is foundational to strong, resilient communities," noted Ray Chaaya, Vice President of Talent & Culture at Zurich Canada. "As young people face unprecedented pressures, this collaboration...helps ensure they are supported where it matters most—through education, connection, and opportunity."

Navigating the Path to Impact

While the goal of reaching 355,000 youth is commendable, the path to achieving it is fraught with challenges inherent to Canada's diverse and vast landscape. A key hurdle will be ensuring equitable access across the country. Youth in rural, remote, and northern communities often face the greatest barriers to both educational programs and mental health services, a disparity the program must actively work to overcome.

Furthermore, true impact requires cultural sensitivity and adaptation. The program's success will depend on its ability to resonate with the specific needs of diverse populations, including Indigenous youth, who require culturally safe and Indigenous-led solutions, and 2SLGBTQI+ youth, who need affirming and inclusive environments.

Maintaining program quality and fidelity across thousands of schools and with a large network of volunteers presents another significant logistical challenge. It will require robust training, ongoing support for educators and volunteers, and a continuous feedback loop to ensure the content remains relevant and effective.

By embedding mental resilience into the definition of success, this collaboration is not just launching a program; it is championing a cultural shift. The initiative's ultimate success will be measured not only in the number of participants, but in its ability to help foster a generation of young Canadians who are not only ready for the workforce, but resilient enough to thrive in all aspects of their lives.