05 Aug SunRYSE: Holistic mental health care for youth
August 5, 2025
Jazmine, one of this year’s SunRYSE students, was the emcee and presented a TED Talk at the end-of-year celebration.
This summer, Sunnybrook’s Department of Psychiatry welcomed back Toronto youth as part of the second cohort for SunRYSE, a hospital-community partnership with the North Toronto Ontario Health Team, Toronto Catholic District School Board, Sprint Senior Care and Pine River Institute.
Youth aged 14-18 who are experiencing functionally impairing mental health challenges, can participate in the one month, summer camp-like experience to earn a high-school credit, and develop life skills that will help them navigate their physical health, emotions and mental health challenges.
Tailoring mental health care for youth
The SunRYSE program is unique from other short-term mental health programs, which are typically aimed at helping adults. Youth who are experiencing mental health issues are likely still trying to figure out their diagnosis and how to manage it, all while juggling the difficult challenges and pressures that come with being a teenager.
“Many of the children in the SunRYSE program experience complex mental health challenges, like social anxiety, which has resulted in them being disconnected both academically and socially,” explains Dr. Rosalie Steinberg, Deputy Chief of Psychiatry and Co-Director of Quality Improvement in the Department of Psychiatry at Sunnybrook. “The SunRYSE program promotes new learning and a safe environment to help youth with their mental health challenges, before they fully develop and create lasting complications into adulthood.”