In memory of Éric Bujold
In memory of Éric Bujold
In memory of Éric Bujold, Chair of the Board of Directors of Youth in Mind Foundation
There are people whose influence extends far beyond the positions they hold. People who help an organization grow through their vision and commitment, but above all through the trust they place in others and the way they bring people together.
Éric Bujold was one of them.
Following Éric’s passing on August 1, the entire team at Youth in Mind Foundation and the members of its Board of Directors wish to pay tribute to their Chair, a man with a great heart who left a profound mark on the Foundation’s history and on all those who had the privilege of knowing him.
Over more than 17 years of involvement with the Foundation, including more than ten years as Chair of the Board of Directors since 2015, Éric gave it far more than his expertise and experience. He gave it his time, his energy, his ability to listen, and an unwavering faith in its mission.
He believed deeply in the importance of acting early to support young people’s mental health. This conviction was not only present in his words: it guided his involvement, his decisions, and his constant desire to give the Foundation the means to reach even more teens across Quebec.
A commitment that helped the Foundation grow
Under his leadership, the Foundation reached several defining milestones in its evolution.
Éric notably supported the coming together of Fondation Québec Jeunes and the Fondation des maladies mentales, whose merger was completed in 2017 and gave rise to Youth in Mind Foundation as we know it today. He helped bring together two histories, two areas of expertise, and two communities around a shared ambition: to prevent psychological distress among teens and provide them, as well as the adults around them, with concrete tools to take care of their mental health.
Throughout his involvement, he supported the consolidation and growth of the Foundation’s work in every region of Quebec. He helped advance the rollout and evolution of our two school-based workshops, Mental Health Basics workshop and Partners for Life workshop, as well as the development of resources for young people, families, and school staff. Over those 17 years, more than 831,000 young people were reached through nearly 28,000 workshops delivered in 892 schools and organizations across Quebec.
Éric knew that this mission could not grow without a strong community to carry it forward. Through his credibility, the respect he inspired, and the relationships he had built over the years, he brought many people closer to the cause of youth mental health.
He opened doors, built connections, and invited members of the business community to put their influence and resources in service of the mission. Many became donors, partners, board members, and true ambassadors of the Foundation. These relationships, which he cultivated with sincerity and over time, played an essential role in the organization’s growth and in its ability to support young people.
For Éric, however, success was never measured solely by the funds raised, the projects completed, or the number of people reached. It was also measured by the strength of the bonds created and by each person’s ability to contribute to something greater than themselves.
A leader guided by humanity
The Foundation’s achievements and major milestones tell part of the story of Éric’s contribution. But they are not enough to capture the man he was.
Éric’s leadership was deeply human. He knew how to listen before offering advice, give people autonomy while remaining fully engaged, and offer his support with great generosity. He combined rigour and vision with sincere attentiveness to the people around him.
He did not simply help projects move forward. He also helped people grow.
Éric was far more than a Chair of the Board of Directors. Through the way he shared his experience, encouraged others, and supported the people working alongside him, he was also a mentor, a guide, and a true role model.
He had the rare ability to help others grow, both professionally and personally. His leadership was rooted in listening, kindness, and sincere attention to each person. He knew how to advise without imposing his views, offer support without taking over, and give others the confidence they needed to move forward.
His strength, intelligence, and remarkable ability to bring people together naturally inspired admiration and respect. Despite all he had accomplished, Éric remained deeply approachable, attentive, and generous. He led with vision and rigour, but always with heart.
Those who worked alongside him will remember a passionate leader, deeply committed to philanthropy and driven by a sincere desire to make a difference. They will remember his generosity, the time he gave without counting the hours, and the positive impact he had on the people and projects to which he chose to devote himself.
Thank you, Éric.
Today, the entire team at Youth in Mind Foundation, the members of its Board of Directors, and the many people Éric brought together over the years wish to say thank you.
Thank you, Éric, for believing so deeply in our mission and in the power of prevention to transform young people’s lives.
Thank you for helping the Foundation transform, grow, and continue to aim higher. Thank you for the connections you created, the people you brought together, and the doors you opened.
Thank you for your presence, your ability to listen, your trust, and everything you passed on to those who worked alongside you.
Above all, thank you for the exceptional man you were.
We extend our most sincere thoughts and deepest affection to his partner, Marie-Ève, his children, Gabrielle and Henri, as well as to his entire family, his loved ones, and everyone affected by his passing.
Éric helped build a stronger, more unifying Foundation, one capable of reaching ever more young people. His legacy will remain deeply embedded in our history, but also in the way we continue to carry forward the mission he championed with such conviction and humanity.
Thank you, Éric.