centre of excellence in youth mental health centre d'excellence en santé mentale des jeunes

Congratulations to our team for receiving Luminas Award!

We are proud to announce that our team has received the 2026 Luminas Award from the CIUSSS de l’Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal for excellence in partnerships. This distinction highlights the collaboration, creativity, and tireless energy our team brings to every partnership.

While research often focuses on collecting data, our initiative goes further by building meaningful partnerships with community organizations, as well as with youth and families in Montreal.

On a daily basis, we work closely with community organizations to offer youth aged 9 to 25 a diverse and accessible range of programs focused on well-being, prevention, and resilience. In 2025, our initiatives included:

  • mindfulness workshops;
  • educational presentations in schools and camps;
  • creative activities encouraging self-expression;
  • physical initiatives supporting emotional regulation and social connection.

Céline Villemus

Adriana Redensek

Tosh Watson

Forest Day de Larra, community engagement coordinator and youth navigator for bloom project at the centre of excellence in youth mental health

Forest Day de Larrañaga

Melissa Palander, digital solutions specialist for bloom project at the center of excellence in youth mental health

Melissa
Palander

Martin Sellier Silva, research assistant and research liaison for bloom project at the center of excellence in youth mental health

Martin
Sellier Silva

Elsa Bernier, research assistant and youth navigator for bloom project at the center of excellence in youth mental health

Elsa
Bernier

Chelsea cuffaro, lived experience coordinator at the center of excellence in youth mental health

Chelsea
Cuffaro

Raven , lived experience assistant at the center of excellence in youth mental health

Raven
Hudon

Congratulations to all the laureates:
  • Céline Villemus, Operations Director & Research Project Manager
 
  • Adriana Redensek, Academic Lead &
    Research Coordinator
  • Forest Day de Larrañaga, Community Engagement Coordinator & Youth Navigator
  • Melissa Palander, Digital Solutions Specialist
  • Martin Silva Sellier, Research Assistant and Research Liaison
  • Elsa Bernier, Research Assistant & Youth Navigator
 
The Lived experience team:
  • Tosh Watson, Lived Experience Coordinator
  • Chelsea Cuffaro, Lived Experience Coordinator
  • Raven Hudon, Lived Experience Inclusion Rep.
Lenaa Palaniyappan Center Director at the center in youth mental health and professor at McGill University

Lena Palaniyappan

In addition, our director, Lena Palaniyappan, was honoured with an individual award in teaching and research, recognizing his excellence as a researcher and educator. The CEYMH team also highlighted the many opportunities he provides to students, staff, and colleagues working alongside him.

These awards reflect the dedication and expertise of our team, which continues to transform research into meaningful action for the well-being of youth and communities in Montreal.

Congratulations to all the nominees, and thank you to the organizers of the Luminas Awards.

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