We had the amazing opportunity to interview Maria Estrada, the Program Manager at Unsinkable. Unsinkable is a Canadian charitable organization founded by Silken Laumann, a four-time Olympic medalist and mental health advocate. Unsinkable harnesses the power of storytelling to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and bridge the gap between struggling and taking the steps toward mental well-being.
Through various programs including the Community Champions, Unsinkable Youth, and Storytellers, Unsinkable aims to encourage open and vulnerable conversation about mental health and foster empathy and resilience. No matter where you are in your mental health journey, they meet you where you are and provide you with tools to help you recognize your own capabilities and become an agent of change.
In our interview, Maria shared more details about the Unsinkable Youth program and how to get involved!
These are the timestamps for our questions:
0:36 What is something that made you smile today?
1:25 Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your experience with Unsinkable?
4:14 What is the Unsinkable Youth Program about, and how can young people get involved?
9:04 In your opinion, why is it important for individuals to share their personal stories and experiences surrounding mental health?
12:28 For young people who want to share their stories, what steps can they take to ensure their safety and well-being while sharing their experiences?
17:05 Lastly, we’d love to hear about one of the most inspiring moments you’ve experienced while working with Unsinkable Youth.
Maria, thank you so much for taking the time to speak with us! We are inspired by your passion for storytelling and all the incredible work you do at Unsinkable.
If you are interested in learning more or have any questions, you can reach out to Maria at maria@weareunsinkable.com or connect over the Unsinkable social media platforms: Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.