Join YAIJ's Peer Support Training Program PeerSTEP(c)

Hi, I am Rianne, obtaining my bachelor’s degree from the University of Toronto. I am double majoring in environmental biology and global health and minoring in statistics. I'd like to pursue a research career.

As a neurodiverse individual, my experiences have shaped my dedication to fostering inclusive environments. I'm excited to bring my organizational and peer coaching experience to the team and have lots to learn and share about peer support for neurodiverse individuals like me.

Throughout my youth I have been deeply involved with my community and had amazing opportunities to volunteer and work with marginalized children and youth. It is these experiences that inspired me to pursue an undergraduate degree in Honours Health and Society with a Specialization in Mental Health and Addiction at McMaster University. During my education and work experience, advocacy and community work for marginalized groups has become a profound interest and future aspiration. I have had the incredible opportunity to join YAIJ in their peer supporter training program, and I have had a wonderful and rewarding experience. While participating in the program, I have met so many people, built great rapport with our participants, developed new skills, and have discovered new interests. I have also learned so much through this program and am excited to learn more! Aside from the program, I enjoy spending time cooking, baking, listening to music, and indulging in all things food! 

Advocating for marginalized folks has always been my passion and I have had the opportunity to explore the ways in which I can make an impact through my undergraduate education as an honours political science student at McMaster University, through various work experiences, and through meaningful conversations with people who have diverse and unique experiences. I have to say that my experiences with YAIJ in the peer supporter training program has been so unique and rewarding as I’ve met so many amazing people and love to watch our participants grow and develop new skills and interests throughout the program. Some of my other passions include acting, dancing, and trying new foods from different cultures!

Hello there, my name is Shams! Initially working towards a Mathematics degree, I found my struggles with accessing inclusive and identity diverse mental health support leading me to want to be a part of the change I want to see, hoping to use my own experiences as a drive to provide better support for the people in my community. Therefore, I have since completed my undergrad in Applied Psychology in Human Behaviour!

Through my own personal hardships with being a highly anxious, highly sensitive, late diagnosed neurodivergent individual belonging to various Black and Afro-Arab, Muslim and queer identity groups, I’ve grown to become highly introspective and observant of the society we live in, and the ways in which we can all play a role in better supporting one another. I truly believe that our own personal struggles tend to further open up our eyes to the world around us, but that it may often feel like a very isolating experience. 

It is due to this that I highly support the mission of finding support within our communities, as well as taking the efforts to learn about the diverse identities of individuals who may differ from our own experiences and identities. To provide socially conscious support is to make space and understanding for everyone.

During my free time, I tend to jump from one interesting hyper-fixation to another, so it's always an adventure!

I’ve been involved in the field of mental health peer support for the past decade, where much of my work has focused on the intersections of mental health/Madness, disability, neurodiversity, chronic illness/pain, and queer/trans identity. It has been a pleasure working with such a fantastic team to develop peer support training grounded in the strengths and knowledges of Black, racialized, and neurodiverse communities. As a white settler, I am committed to an ongoing process of learning how I can best work in solidarity with Black, Indigenous, and racialized communities, and leverage my privilege to support the crafting of decolonial futures. When I’m not geeking out about peer support, you can find me making zines, drinking purple basil lemonade, hanging out with my family of cats and plants, thinking with fungi, and dreaming alternative futures.