The 2024 CoLab High School Program

This CoLab High School Program supports teenagers who want to create positive change. Over seven weeks, high school students from across Ontario will work together with their peers and a member of the educational community to develop an idea that addresses mental health among youth. They’ll receive guidance from experts in mental health to transform their ideas into real-life solutions. The goal of the program is to make meaningful changes in our communities.

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This Year’s Challenge: Mental Health

This year’s Press Start CoLab High School Program is all about the mental health of young people in Canada. Mental health is an important topic affecting high school students’ well-being. By addressing mental health early and from their perspective, we cannot only make things better for students now but also help pave the way for well-being into adulthood. In this year’s Press Start CoLab High School Program, we want to encourage positive and creative ideas that consider different perspectives to improve young people’s mental health.

We are asking participants to develop new and creative solutions for youth in their community that address at least 1 of the 3 sub-focus areas of mental health.

Sub-Focus Areas

De-Stigmatizing Mental Health

Cultivating mental health literacy, fostering awareness, and enhancing communication through open dialogues around mental health.

Building Confidence and Self-Image

Celebrating individuality and amplifying diverse perspectives and voices to nurture confidence and positive self-image.

Creating Safe Spaces for Connectedness

Creating accessible community spaces that foster connection and belonging, empowering others to speak openly about mental health in a safe and supportive environment.

Amazing Opportunity

The Press Start CoLab High School Program is open to high school students across Ontario. Participants must join the program with a group leader who is a member of the educational community. The program lasts for about seven weeks. During that time, students will work on developing a practical solution within mental health. Participants will attend one Challenge Session—focused on inspired learning from a keynote speaker—and three Co-Creation Sessions—focused on collaboration and mentorship from experienced mental health entrepreneurs.

The OTIP Changemaker Grants:

$25,000

This money will be distributed across multiple successful ideas

Mentorship

With entrepreneurship, industry, and academic experts

2024 CoLab High School Program Speaker

Participants will attend a virtual Challenge Session that will inspire and embolden their thinking around this year’s sub-focus areas.

Anthony McLean

Called a “master storyteller”, Anthony McLean delivers lively, actionable presentations on mental health, diversity & inclusion, and the intersection between them. He’s worked with such leading organizations as PepsiCo, Intel, Danone, Coca Cola, and more. McLean shows audiences how to foster an environment of empathy, acceptance, and mental well-being to enhance DEI work and boost individual and team performance.

A respected voice in his field, McLean has delivered hundreds of inspiring talks across the world, rocking the stage at conferences, colleges, and corporate events. His clients have ranged from charities and non-profits to Fortune 500s, with all benefitting from his research-backed tools and actionable strategies that leave them inspired and equipped to bring their best every day. In 2024, McLean released his first book, All Fired Up: Optimize Mental Health to Ignite Joy and Fuel Peak Performance.

McLean has a background in theatre and works actively in the film and television industry. As a screenwriter, he’s currently in development on two feature films.

2024 CoLab High School Program Details

When is it?

• Event duration: Approximately 7 weeks

• Start date: October 24, 2024

• End date: December 19, 2024

• Awards date: December 19, 2024

Who can join?

• Registration is open to Ontario high school students.

• Background: An interest in mental health and creative solutioning.

• Registration fee: No

• Groups: Participants must sign up with a member of the educational community.