William Crooks
Compton–Stanstead MP Marianne Dandurand, Bishop’s University Coordinator of Experiential Learning in Art Bassam Chiblak, Saint-François MNA Geneviève Hébert, Mon Shack Executive Director Josée Parent, Université de Sherbrooke Professor François Losier-Gervais, Lennoxville Councillor Jennifer Garfat, and Borough President Claude Charron gathered on May 14 to mark the official launch of the Univers-Shack living lab in Lennoxville

Univers-Shack launches as living lab for youth mental health in Estrie

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

In a major step toward reshaping mental health support for youth, Mon Shack… Mes choix… Mon avenir officially launched its Univers-Shack initiative on May 14 in partnership with Bishop’s University and the Université de Sherbrooke. The project, which organizers describe as the first of its kind in the world, is a “living lab” aimed at better understanding and improving the recovery process for young people living with mental illness in supervised housing.

The announcement was made at a press conference held on-site at Mon Shack’s 2.0 location, where founder and executive director Josée Parent spoke alongside numerous political and academic partners, including Saint-François MNA Geneviève Hébert, newly appointed Compton–Stansted MP Marianne Dandurand, and Lennoxville Borough President Claude Charron.

Parent said the Univers-Shack was born from a simple yet powerful question: “Why does it work at Mon Shack?” She cited the surprising outcomes observed among residents, including post-secondary success, stable employment, reduced hospitalizations, and increased community involvement. “There are significant costs associated with repeated psychiatric hospitalization,” she said. “So, we asked—what makes our model work, and how can we document and replicate it?”

According to the official press release issued by Mon Shack, the Univers-Shack will serve as a space for research, development, and innovation. Funded in part by a $25,000 grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), with additional support from the NexCap Foundation and Mon Shack’s own resources, the project will bring together researchers, students, community members, and tenants to co-create solutions to mental health challenges.

François Losier-Gervais, a professor in community psychology at the Université de Sherbrooke and one of the project’s lead researchers, explained that the Univers-Shack is “the world’s first living lab focused on youth mental health in supervised housing.” He emphasized that the collaborative model—incorporating input from those with lived experience, professionals, and students—will help identify and scale effective practices.

One of the project’s central educational partners is Bishop’s University, represented at the launch by Bassam Chiblak, Coordinator of Experiential Learning in Art. In an interview following the event, Chiblak expanded on the role students will play.

“Our goal is to apply theory in an authentic, real-world environment,” Chiblak explained. “Students won’t just be reading about mental health—they’ll be animating activities, working with residents, and participating in the research process itself.” He said the program is structured to accommodate different learning pathways, including credited internships and paid work placements, depending on the student’s program and university affiliation.

Chiblak said the learning goes both ways. “There’s a human element to this that’s missing in a classroom. Students not only see what mental health challenges look like—they feel it. That transforms the way they engage with their future professions.”

Mon Shack’s longer-term aim is to develop a replicable model that can be shared across Quebec. “We want to create a turnkey system that other communities can adopt,” Parent said. “We’ve already had interest from places as far as Ottawa. But it’s not about franchising Mon Shack—it’s about finding what works and making that knowledge accessible.”

Speakers throughout the morning echoed the importance of collaboration and innovation. Dandurand praised the project’s bilingual and inclusive spirit, calling it “a shining example of how the Eastern Townships community comes together around mental health.” Hébert lauded Parent’s perseverance and the project’s alignment with the region’s tradition of inter-institutional partnerships.

Borough President Claude Charron, who has supported Mon Shack since its inception, added that the public-facing nature of the Univers-Shack distinguishes it from more clinical models. “It’s not closed off. That openness changes everything.”

Parent concluded the event by highlighting the importance of listening to tenants and co-researchers. “The best solutions will come when everyone has a voice,” she said. “And I believe that by working together, we will build a stronger, healthier community.”

The Univers-Shack is now open and actively engaged in pilot research activities. Students, tenants, and researchers are already on-site as part of the inaugural cohort. For more information, the organization can be contacted at direction@monshack.ca.