What’s NExT?
The Network for Early Career X Trainee Researchers (NExT) in Youth Mental Health is a peer-led, grassroots initiative founded in February 2024. With over 50 PhD trainees, post-doctoral fellows and early career researchers (ECRs) and trainees from more than 35 affiliations across 8 Canadian provinces and territories, NExT is dedicated to building a strong, collaborative community of researchers committed to innovation and collective impact.
Our "for us, by us" approach fosters an environment for shared leadership, trust-based relationships, and co-designed, innovative solutions that meet both the needs of our community and the youth mental health system.
At NExT, we believe in the power of working together to create sustainable and equitable change in the youth mental health sector in Canada.
What we do:
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NExT is a supportive and welcoming space that promotes peer-to-peer learning, problem-solving, and collective growth. We focus on people, over productivity, creating a strong network built on a foundation of trust-based relationships.
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We empower members to develop the tools, skills, and knowledge—beyond traditional academic training—that equip them to drive innovative and impactful research that better supports the youth mental health system.
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We value the power of collaboration, amplifying diverse perspectives, co-design, and shared leadership. We believe that working together—rather than competing—leads to greater collective impact on the youth mental health system.
Does NExT sound like the network for you?
Still have questions?
Reach out to us for more information and to chat more about whether NExT is something you’d like to be a part of!