Authors

Dagmar Devine, University of Victoria

Jewell Gillies, Okanagan College

Jenny Guild, Langara College

Arica Hsu, Langara College

Hamza Islam, University of British Columbia

Barbara Johnston, West Coast Editorial Associates

Mehakpreet Kaur, College of New Caledonia

Jackson Mackenzie Nicholls, Thompson Rivers University

Malena Mokhovikova, University of Victoria

Calla Smith, Langara College

Liz Warwick, Limestone Learning

University of British Columbia

We gratefully acknowledge that this facilitator’s guide and the associated presentation have been adapted from University of British Columbia’s training Mental Health Literacy for Student Leaders by University of British Columbia (UBC) Student Health and Wellbeing staff. While we don’t have the names of all of the authors who contributed to the UBC resource over the years, we would like to thank those people who worked with BCcampus on this newly adapted version: Tam Uden, Freeman Woolnough, Karen Moss, Kelly White, Patty Hambler, and Levonne Abshire.

Contributors

Susan Butland, Thompson Rivers University

Rafael de la Pena, College of New Caledonia 

Jagjeet Gill, Langara College

Michelle Glubke, BCcampus

Matty Hillman, Selkirk College

Sara LaMarre, Vancouver Island University

Rhonda Schmitz, Selkirk College

Kaitlyn Zheng, BCcampus

Project Advisory Group Members

Post-Secondary Institutions

Susan Butland, Thompson Rivers University

Rafael de la Pena, College of New Caledonia

Jagjeet Gill, Langara College

Patty Hambler, Douglas College

Claire Hewson, Selkirk College

Evan Hilchey, Camosun College

Sara LaMarre, Vancouver Island University

Shelley McKenzie, University of Northern British Columbia

Tanya Miller, Langara College

Romana Pasca, College of New Caledonia

Amy Rowes, North Island College

Dawn Schell, University of Victoria

Rhonda Schmitz, Selkirk College

Lisa Sookochoff, Okanagan College

Students

Grace Dupasquier, Alliance of B.C Students

Carol Johnston, University of Northern British Columbia

Tanysha Klassen, British Columbia Federation of Students

Sarthak Tembhekar, North Island College

Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training

Andrei Bondoreff, senior policy analyst

Kelly Chirhart, director

BCcampus

Valerie Cross, director

Michelle Glubke, project manager

Declan Robinson Spence, project assistant

Student Authors

BCcampus is grateful to the eight post-secondary students who completed this training, wrote the practice scenarios, and offered feedback.

Dagmar Devine is a student at the University of Victoria, completing her bachelor’s degree in social work through distance learning and living in the beautiful West Kootenays, in the unceded territory of the Syilx, Sinixt, and Ktunaxa, with her husband and four of her five children. She is passionate about destigmatizing mental illness and normalizing open conversations around mental health and well-being.

Jenny Guild is a Métis woman living and working in Vancouver on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Stó:lō and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. She is a library and information technology student at Langara College with a passion for psychology and literature, who hopes to one day provide library programming to children and marginalized groups.

Arica Hsu is studying to complete her bachelor of science in nursing. As a trans woman of colour, Arica’s lived experiences have given her insight into how the education and health care systems (including the health care professionals it produces) can be improved to better help, support, and protect her people and community. In addition to volunteering for various social and advocacy committees, she mentors other nursing students. Arica’s career goal is to eliminate barriers that prevent queer and other under-represented people from accessing culturally safe care and succeeding in society.

Hamza Islam is in his second year studying engineering at University of British Columbia. He has yet to declare a major, but is interested in computer engineering. Prior to engineering, Hamza worked as a community support worker—starting off as an intern, working with mentally disabled individuals in a community outreach program. Having completed certifications in the Mandt System, Person Centered Thinking, and Mental Health First Aid, Hamza hopes to bring his mental health experience to the private sector.

Mehakpreet Kaur is the women’s representative and treasurer at College of New Caledonia Student Union, Prince George. She is originally from India and is completing the kinesiology program at the College of New Caledonia. Mehakpreet lost her dad in 2019, which was the worst thing to happen to her, as he was her biggest supporter. She came to Canada to pursue higher education and fulfill her and her dad’s dreams. With the definitive goal of becoming a physiotherapist, she is working hard to become an outstanding and successful woman.

Jackson Mackenzie Nicholls is an undergraduate student in psychology at Thompson Rivers University and lives in the beautiful Okanagan, in the traditional unceded territory of the Syilx tmixʷ Nation. Jackson’s main interests lie within social psychology and the study of mental disorders.

Malena Mokhovikova came to Vancouver as a refugee from Russia in 2012 as a result of racism, discrimination, and fear of prosecution. She studies psychology at the University of Victoria and loves to write, travel, and hike in her free time. She is an active advocate for mental health destigmatization and studies toward one day becoming a clinician and supporting others overcoming trauma.

Calla Smith is studying kinesiology and is interested in sports psychology. She is privileged to live, work, and play on the traditional unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations with her dog and family. Calla loves road cycling and trying new foods.