After two incredible years working at mindyourmind, it’s with very mixed emotions that I share that I’ll be moving on from my role and returning to school to pursue a degree in Social Work. It’s long been my dream to work as a counsellor with youth and their families, supporting them in navigating tough decisions and changing needs and the immense pressures that are placed on them from so many different areas. I’ll be heading to Lakehead University in Thunder Bay and I’m so excited for the adventure, the opportunity to meet new people and the chance to dive deeper into learning how to support and advocate for youth. (Trust me, I can talk endlessly about the challenges—and excitement—of returning to school after being out for six years!)
Reflecting on My Experience at mindyourmind
But with the excitement of what’s to come, I am also having to say goodbye to an incredible chapter in my life. Working at mindyourmind has brought so many amazing opportunities and people into my life and I can’t say enough about how much I’ve learned and grown here. The world of nonprofit work has its challenges: finding stable funding, doing so much with limited resources, and wearing multiple hats within a small but mighty team. Yet, those very challenges made this experience all the more rewarding. Working with mindyourmind has reinvigorated my passion, let me see a new side of the mental health system and helped me learn more deeply about the needs of youth in Canada.
Growing Through Impactful Mental Health Work
Being part of such a dynamic team has allowed me to take on roles I never imagined. Over the past two years, I’ve been a youth facilitator, content creator, conference presenter, blog writer, editor, marketing guru, mental health advocate, project coordinator, data analyst, report writer, educator, workshop leader, event planner, partner correspondent, and more. I’ve explored new skills and fields I never expected to be connected to mental health work. I’ve had the privilege to travel to places like Ottawa and Vancouver to share insights and present about our work on both national and international stages.
Most importantly, I’ve connected with thousands of young people, educators, service providers and community leaders. Each interaction reaffirmed why this work matters and why we must continue to innovate and advocate for better mental health supports. The stories I’ve heard and the innovation I’ve witnessed will stay with me.
Giving Back Through Purpose
I came to mindyourmind in a full circle moment. (Check out my hello blog!) As a youth, I used the tools, resources, and information from mindyourmind.ca and vividly remember walking past the mindyourmind office, wondering what it would be like to work there. After studying Psychology and working directly with youth in various roles, it has been incredible to live out my dream – applying what I’ve learned to support other youth looking to mindyourmind for support. Every blog, social media post, community fair, presentation, and Design Lab has felt like both a privilege and a meaningful opportunity to give back and I only hope that I’ve done something here that has helped you in your journey.
See You Later, mindyourmind
As I step away from this role, I carry with me countless lessons, skills, memories, and a deep admiration for the resilience and creativity of those who work to improve mental health support. While it’s hard to leave this role, I’m so excited to bring the skills and experiences I’ve gained into my studies and my future work.
This is not goodbye forever; it’s a “see you later.” I’ll always be rooting for mindyourmind and cheering from the sidelines as the organization continues to grow, innovate, and uplift the voices of youth in Canada.