Edmonton youth advocate shares mental health journey 

An Edmonton youth is opening up about her mental health journey and how her father’s experience with mental illness shaped her own. Natascia Ciancibello, a master’s student at the University of Alberta and long-time youth advocate with Jack.org, is using her story to help others recognize the signs and impact of mental health challenges.

“Definitely took a toll on my mental health,” said Ciancibello.

Ciancibello has been involved with Jack.org for seven years, inspired by her mother’s support for the organization.

“I heard about Jack.Org through my mom, and I knew she raved about the work that they were doing at the school. So I want to start a chapter at my own high school.”

Despite being a vocal supporter for youth mental health, Ciancibello has faced her own challenges. Her father was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at age 18, and his struggles deeply impacted her life.

“What my father was going through was affecting my day-to-day, I stayed in school and tried to maintain that sense of normalcy but it was difficult when he couldn’t see me walk the stage at my graduation,” said Ciancibello.

Tragically, her father died by suicide during her fourth undergraduate year—a loss that shifted her entire perspective.

“I was so distraught and it changed my life completely, everything was ,” said Ciancibello. “That day it divided my life into before and after, but I really wanted to maintain that sense of normalcy.”

Although Ciancibello has not been formally diagnosed with a mental illness, her experience reflects a broader issue many young Canadians face. According to Edmonton psychiatrist Dr. Adam Abba-Aji, mental health symptoms often stem from family dynamics and stressful life choices.

“What we have seen is an increase in presentation of ER visits among young adults since the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Dr. Abba-Aji reports that 1 in 5 Canadians aged 14 to 24 are diagnosed with a mental health disorder. Alberta’s youth suicide rate is 14.9 per 100,000, higher than the national average of 10.9.

“If not taken care of earlier and youth are not supported early during that critical moment of decision paralysis, they could end up having symptoms of mental illness such as anxiety, lack of sleep or even depression.”

Ciancibello is now focused on helping other youth in Edmonton manage and understand their mental health challenges—work she believes her father would have been proud of.

“I think he would say that this is incredible and that he is so proud of both of us,” said Cianciebello.

Dr. Abba-Aji advocates for integrating mental illness education and resilience training into high school curriculums to better equip youth for post-secondary life.