In Conversation: EP1 - On My Mind

In this Episode Dr. Jeffrey Ansloos, Suying Hugh, Dr. Josiah Osagie, and Melissa Fernandes help us explore the nuances of mental health and well being while honouring the contributions of Black, Indigenous, and Racialized people to the field and to the realization of well being more broadly.


MELISSA FERNANDES

Melissa Fernandes is a racialized settler on Turtle Island and an experienced student affairs professional with almost ten years of experience working across three post-secondary institutions in the realms health promotion, student mental health, and creating healthy campus environments. Melissa began their career working at McMaster University (circa 2011) in a role dedicated to student health education. In 2017, after receiving a Master's in Public Health, Melissa joined the University of Toronto’s Health & Wellness Centre as a Health Education Coordinator. Here she steered projects such as Identify, Assist, Refer, and supported the office in developing its strategic plan. In 2018, while Melissa was working at U of T she also took on a position as a Faculty member at Fleming College teaching a health promotion and prevention course. Melissa has also been a safeTALK suicide alertness trainer for the past 8 years, worked as a health researcher specific to queer and trans* youth experiences, and volunteered/worked on a few different helplines related to mental health and sexual violence. Melissa is regarded as a knowledgeable colleague within the Canadian Association of College and University Student Services network and she is currently the Chair for the Division of Health Promoters within the Ontario University College Health Association. 

JEFFREY ANSLOOS

Dr. Jeffrey Ansloos is an Assistant Professor in Indigenous Health and Social Policy and the Canada Research Chair in Critical Studies in Indigenous Health and Social Action on Suicide at the University of Toronto. He is also the Chair of the Indigenous Education Network at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. He is a queer Cree psychologist of mixed Cree and English ancestry. His family comes from Fisher River Cree Nation. 

JOSIAH OSAGIE

Dr. Osagie is a resident physician in Psychiatry at the University of Toronto. Prior to residency, he was a medical student at U of T and graduated as valedictorian of his class. He has a specific interest in the mental well-being of Black people and has worked to initiate curricular changes that better support the needs of Black patients seeking mental health care. Dr. Osagie strives for a practice that encompasses both the art and science of healing. 

SUYING HUGH

Suying Hugh is the Program Manager for the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Toronto.   Suying has a bachelor’s degree in international development studies and economics from the University of Toronto and a Masters Degree in Diplomacy and International Relations from Seton Hall University.   Suying has been working at the University of Toronto with international students for over fifteen years.   Prior to this, Suying’s experience includes, working as a research assistant at the Inter-American Development Bank on targeted social programs in Latin America and the Caribbean and working as a CUSO Cooperant in St. Lucia, West Indies.


Producers: Ezi Odozor & Rebekah Robinson