🌻 You synthesized important knowledge as a researcher or public health expert, but…
- You struggle to translate it into an impactful and meaningful product.
- Your target stakeholders – patients, family members, clinicians, educators, policymakers, or the public – aren’t able to access, understand or implement the knowledge.
- You need fresh eyes to connect the dots and clarify: What is the best way to communicate? Is it co-designing an infographic, toolkit, course or community of practice?
I’m Sunny Yimeng Dong, your mental health knowledge broker. Together, we can co-create a powerful tool that resonates with your stakeholders’ needs. Let’s connect over a creative coffee chat – because your work deserves to be seen, understood, and put into practice.
Do you resonate?
Sunny appreciate her fellow co-creators:
ABOUT
Sunny Yimeng Dong (previously Samantha) is the founder of Mobilize Mental Health, a knowledge mobilization service born from her lived experiences and passion for translating knowledge into action.
Sunny previously studied Bachelor of Health Science and Family Engagement in Research at McMaster University. During her undergraduate years, she led the Youth Engagement in Research Study, which has over 3000 journal accesses and has been presented nationally and internationally. She also designed teaching materials for the Education Program in Anatomy, impacting the learning of over 700 students. Little did she know, her research and teaching experiences were the training grounds for knowledge mobilization.
Now a Science Illustrator, Community Architect, and Lived Experience Advisor, Sunny co-create infographics, toolkits and communities by engaging diverse mental health stakeholders. Her vision: to build a world where mental health knowledge isn’t locked away but is accessible to anyone who needs it.
TESTIMONIALS
Kind words from fellow co-creators over the years.
From Patient Advisor to Infographic Designer
“The collaboration with the infographics was greatly unexpected for me because I had no idea that you were so talented. We would have hired someone that doesn’t know the study, doesn’t have a personal involvement or desire to make it readable and impactful. But you did.
We had a short timeline, gave very little direction, and you just ran with it in a super efficient way. When we got the infographics, we were impressed and had little to change. I think we’re probably a highly critical group, and yet, there was very little to say. Thanks!”
– Nadia Roumeliotis, MD, PhD., Pediatric Intensivist and Clinician Scientist, CHU Sainte-Justine
Youth Engagement and Research Leadership
“A good multi-tasker, listening to people and keeping everyone organized, working as a team. Anyone that hires Sam [Sunny] will get a dedicated worker on their team and will be lucky to have her working for them.”
– Patient Partner, Youth Engagement in Research, CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability
Research and Knowledge Translation Skills
“You had the opportunity to expose yourself all the way through the research cycle, from the idea of testing a usual care survey, to ethics, data collections and analyzing/synthesizing it to the final report and presentations.
You have been very receptive to feedback and have demonstrated a learning curve as it comes to research. Clearly your knowledge translation skills are amazing, and my impression is that this is where your passion is.”
– Jan Willem Gorter, MD, PhD., Pediatric Physiatrist and Clinician Scientist, CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability
Designing Online Community of Practices
“Managing the member database, onboarding/supporting new members, coordinating tools/spaces for working groups, coordinating video calls, etc.
Having seen your work on the SAP CoP (Special Access Program Community of Practice), I think you could do this […] brilliantly.”
– Doris Payer, PhD., Senior Knowledge Broker, Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction
VISION
A world where the best mental health evidence is not locked away in journals, conferences or esoteric chambers but is easily accessible to patients, families, clinicians, policymakers and any soul who needs it.
MISSION
I. Designing multimedia knowledge products (e.g., infographics, toolkits) to amplify mental health research, policies, and practices.
II. Building virtual community infrastructures that foster connection and collaboration between patients, families, clinicians, policymakers, and other mental health stakeholders.
VALUES
Co-Design with Community
If we are creating resources for mental health stakeholders, it follows that we verify what they need and co-design it together.
Sunny can meaningfully inform research and policy communication based on her perspectives as a youth with mental health history.
As a knowledge broker, Sunny can tap into her network and invite more stakeholder perspectives for co-design.
Commitment to Accessibility
We must consider WCAG and Universal Design for Learning guidelines to ensure knowledge is understood as intended.
Accessibility considerations include, but not limited to: plain language, colour contrast, alternative text, and screen-reader friendly documents.
Curiosity to Learn and Grow
Leveraging wisdom from multiple schools of thought is how Sunny innovates in the field of knowledge mobilization.
Sunny will be completing the Knowledge Translation Professional Certificate (KTPC) at SickKids Learning Institute and University of Toronto this fall.
She continues to explore the creative edge and ethical dilemmas between design and technology, such as artificial intelligence and virtual reality. Why? It’s that insatiable appetite for learning and disrupting the status quo.
Sunny is a proponent of the evidence-based Knowledge to Action (KTA) Framework, as it highlights the iterative nature of knowledge inquiry, synthesis and tool/product design.
Image Source: The Center for Implementation.
PORTFOLIO
You can filter through Sunny’s portfolio based on her different knowledge mobilization hats!
This section is still currently under construction. Please follow Sunny on social media to be notified when the website is updated.
Follow @mobilizementalhealth to keep up with Sunny! She is now experimenting with video content on social media:
For a comprehensive overview of Sunny’s professional experiences:
KNOWLEDGE MOBILIZATION SERVICES
Is your team planning to design a knowledge product or community service for mental health?
Sunny can help you design it efficiently, accessibly and meaningfully.
The number one priority? Ensuring what we co-create actually resonate with your stakeholder’s needs and desires.
Explore the potential hats Sunny could wear at your next meeting!
The Science Illustrator Hat
Sunny can help your team:
- Co-design new knowledge products. Examples include: infographics, editorial illustrations, diagrams, toolkits, guidelines, worksheets, survey templates, and multimedia content (graphic design, photography, video).
- Redesign existing materials to enhance accessibility, visual literacy, and integrate lived experience perspectives.
Perks of Working with Sunny:
- Efficient workflow: Sunny’s health research and policy background saves you time on explaining context and jargon.
- Unlimited drafts: Revisions are unlimited within the project timeline to ensure 100% satisfaction.
- Clear communication: Zoom meetings as needed to align vision and feedback.
- Accessibility-focused: Deliverables meet accessibility and Universal Design for Learning standards.
Rates:
- Custom, project-based pricing following a free consultation. Book a Creative Coffee Chat to start.
- Rush Projects: 48-hour turnarounds are subject to a higher rate.
Payment plans:
- Option 1: 100% upfront (discounted rate)
- Option 2: 50% upfront, 50% upon completion.
Late Payments: A fee applies for payments delayed beyond 30 days post-completion.
The Community Architect Hat
Sunny can help your team:
Ideate and co-design community engagement services for mental health stakeholder, such as :
- Communities of Practices
- Youth Engagement Programs
- Virtual Summits, Conferences, Events, and more!
Platforms: Microsoft SharePoint and Teams, Slack, Discord, Google Groups, or Zoom Events.
Additional Deliverables:
- Accessible, plain language user guides.
- Terms of reference/agreement.
- On-boarding and off-boarding procedures.
- Membership Database
- Plans for maintaining and evaluating engagement.
Perks of Working with Sunny:
- Efficient workflow: Sunny’s health research and policy background saves you time on explaining context and jargon.
- Unlimited drafts: Revisions are unlimited within the project timeline to ensure 100% satisfaction.
- Clear communication: Zoom meetings as needed to align vision and feedback.
- Accessibility-focused: Deliverables meet accessibility and Universal Design for Learning standards.
Rates:
- Custom, project-based pricing following a free consultation. Book a Creative Coffee Chat to start.
- Rush Projects: 48-hour turnarounds are subject to a higher rate.
Payment plans:
- Option 1: 100% upfront (discounted rate)
- Option 2: 50% upfront, 50% upon completion.
Late Payments: A fee applies for payments delayed beyond 30 days post-completion.
The Lived Experience Advisor Hat
Sunny can help your team:
Co-design knowledge products or community services informed by her 24 years of lived experience with:
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Major Depression Disorder (MDD)
- Eating Disorder (ED)
- Existential Anxiety/Distress (“quarter life crisis”)
- Cannabis/Psilocybin Use
- Overcoming Internet and Technology Addiction
Rates:
- Custom, project-based pricing following a free consultation. Open to non-monetary exchanges (e.g., conference attendance, in-kind services).
- Rush Projects: 48-hour turnarounds are subject to a higher rate.
Payment plans:
- Option 1: 100% upfront (discounted rate)
- Option 2: 50% upfront, 50% upon completion.
- Late Payments: Fees apply for payments delayed beyond 30 days post-completion.
CONTACT
Thank you for taking the time to explore Mobilize Mental Health.
If you believe our visions align, please feel free to book a free 30 minute creative coffee chat via Calendly.
Alternatively, you may shoot Sunny an email at sunny@mobilizementalhealth.com
Let’s co-create! 🎨 ☕
Got a curious inquiry?
Take care, stay curious and let’s keep in touch! 🌻
Follow @mobilizementalhealth on Instagram and TikTok, and connect with Sunny Yimeng Dong on LinkedIn to join the movement.