Meet the Rabble Rousers, a group of mental health advocates who are part of Coast Mental Health’s young adult program and an independent non-profit in Vancouver.
Known for increasing awareness about the stigmas and challenges young people face in their journeys through mental health recovery, the group’s advocacy has taken the form of a podcast series, PSA videos, and more. Recently, the Rabble Rousers’ advocacy comes in the form of a zine with a vital message.
“Mental health and nutrition are really connected,” explains Andy, a member of the Rabble Rousers. “When you’re not eating well, it can affect your mood, energy, and focus. Healthy food helps your brain work better and can make a big difference in how you feel emotionally.”
Holistically healthy
Rabble Rousers
Not everyone knows this, and it certainly doesn’t help that teens are constantly bombarded with appetizing but nutritionally-void meal options during a time of newfound food freedom. That’s why the Rabble Rousers’ latest project is contemPLATE: An Interactive Self-Help Magazine Designed for Mental Health Support.
The online zine features art, poetry, healthy recipes, food hacks, and information on food sustainability. It also details affordable lunch options offered through Coast Mental Health’s young adult program.
After all, nutrition is about more than simply making healthy choices. In 2022, 18 per cent of Canadian families reported experiencing food insecurity. By 2024, the number had increased to 77 per cent for UBC students.
“Groceries are expensive,” says Dayley, another Rabble Rouser. “If ‘the big five’ grocery giants, who own 80 per cent of all grocery stores in Canada, were held accountable to making profits reflect only inflation, then teenagers, young adults, and seniors would be able to eat healthier foods and not go hungry.”
That’s why Coast Mental Health’s Clubhouse in Mount Pleasant offers nutritious lunches for people experiencing mental health challenges Monday to Friday for just $2.
Lending a hand
Rabble Rousers
The Young Adult program, which is run out of Coast Mental Health’s Clubhouse, is entirely funded through donations to the Coast Mental Health Foundation. It gives young people a safe space to socialize, build community, cook meals together, access mental health supports, take part in music therapy, brain training, learn job-ready skills, and be themselves without stigma.
“If someone seems withdrawn, tired all the time, or talks about skipping meals, those could be signs,” says Andy. “Reaching out, checking in, and offering support without judgment can really help.”
And if you’re the one experiencing mental health struggles or food insecurity, Andy suggests talking to a trusted friend, teacher, or counsellor, adding that “taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your body.”
“Sometimes, we ignore what’s happening to us, and it isn’t until we get help that we realize something is off,” adds Rabble Rouser Samantha. “People want to support you.”
You can read contemPLATE: An Interactive Self-Help Magazine Designed for Mental Health Support for free online and become a member of Clubhouse/Young Adult Program to access mental health support and healthy food at 295 East 11th Ave. Monday through Friday from 12 to 1 p.m. for a $2 meal. After all, food security is a human right — not a privilege.
The Clubhouse and Rabble Rousers would like to extend a special thank you to The Westminster Foundation, who is the lead funder of the Rabble Rousers group.
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