Introduction & Context: Many mental health initiatives recognize the importance of including youth and individuals with lived experience, yet they struggle to do so in a genuine way. Tokenism often arises when organizations seek to “check a box” or superficially showcase diversity without valuing the deeper wisdom these voices offer. In this talk, I’ll draw upon my background as an entrepreneur, communications liaison, and mental health advocate to outline best practices for authentic engagement. Core Topics:     1.    Defining Tokenism vs. Authentic Inclusion: We’ll clarify what tokenism looks like (in advisory boards, events, or marketing campaigns) and contrast it with genuine partnership models.     2.    Practical Engagement Frameworks: From co-creating project plans to empowering lived-experience leaders as facilitators, we’ll explore methods that respect contributors’ time, energy, and emotional labor.     3.    Building Trust & Shared Ownership: We’ll examine ways to ensure youth and lived-experience participants feel safe, heard, and genuinely integrated. This involves fair compensation, transparent communication, and flexible support structures.     4.    Success Stories & Common Pitfalls: Drawing on real-world examples (both successes and near-misses), I’ll highlight how to navigate cultural differences, power imbalances, and emotional triggers.     5.    Measuring Impact & Sustainability: Tokenism often yields short-term optics wins but fails to create lasting change. We’ll discuss how to measure ongoing impact, nurture continuous improvement, and maintain relationships over time. Outcomes & Significance: Attendees will walk away with a solid framework to respectfully include youth and lived-experience advocates in mental health programming. By fostering genuine collaboration, we can develop stronger, more relevant services—and honor the individuals who offer their stories, expertise, and trust.