Youth engagement is increasingly being recognized as a valuable and necessary component of youth mental health research, though literature on practical strategies for implementing youth engagement principles is still in its infancy. This article outlines youth engagement activities for a multi-component intervention, specifically an integrated care pathway (ICP) for Major Depressive Disorder in adolescents (MDD-A). The roles of youth partners, and the extent of their involvement at various research stages are described. Tangible recommendations that can be applied across research studies are provided. Successes and lessons learned are discussed, highlighting the importance of involving youth early in the research process and recognizing lived experience as an expertise in its own right.