The Co-Design Initiative

About Us: 

Following the completion of a National project focused on the youth opioid crisis, a sub-group of leadership and youth who had lived experience formed to continue that community and dialect around co-design. In January, 2022 - The Co-Design Initiative was born. This initiative started off as an idea, and quickly became reality through passion and dedication to effectively improve access of services, quality of care, and policy within mental health and substance use disorders. Seeing the effects, benefits and success of the co-design method, first hand - it was clear that there needed to be a "one-stop-shop/hub" for both individuals with lived experience as well as for organizational/community level engagement. Such that; providing opportunity for individuals with lived experience to have their voice heard, [talk about what has worked for them, what has not worked, and what needs to change], foster a sense of community through peer-support AND to be compensated for their expertise. For community and organizational engagement, the Co-Design Initiative is a hub to learn more about the co-design method, connect with individuals who have lived/living experience of specific natures, and to gain professional support and facilitation to utilizing the co-design method. 

The Co-Design Initiative is a hub for co-design aimed at bridging the gap between the realms of professional and expertise. We help implement the Co-Design method through educating, facilitating and consulting with different organizations and policies, to help create a promising future for youth and their family/caregivers in the sectors of Addiction and Mental Health.

The Co-Design Initiative focuses primarily on addiction and mental health sectors, with the main objectives being: 

1) To provide a safe space for sharing experience (to listen, teach, and learn)

2) To educate individuals and organizations on the importance of real life experience 

3) To help youth gain a sense of purpose through peer-support and story-telling 

4) To improve policies, services, and resources for individuals with mental health and/or substance use disorders

*The co-design method can be applied in any  initiative to help facilitate effective group-think and produce real solutions to real problems. 

Team Members: 

Michaela Lynn - Founder, Facilitator, Liaison 

Youth with Lived Experience 

Adults with Lived Experience 

Volunteers