Most students are familiar with the stress that a busy semester brings – deadlines, coordinating group projects and finding time to study all while keeping track of a tight budget. So who better to help find ways to prioritize mental health in those moments of struggle than someone who is also going through it?

Dani Nelson and Morgan Warawa signed on as student volunteers with MacEwan’s Peer Health Education Team (PHET) because of their passion for helping others understand their mental health. 

“We plan wellness initiatives, workshops and events, and we also make a lot of resources related to different aspects of health,” says Warawa, a Bachelor of Science, Biological Sciences Honours student who now holds a paid peer health educator position.

Their time as volunteers, says Nelson, informs their current role, where he and Warawa work directly with student volunteers to provide feedback, help them create resources and do event setup. The psychology major says that he finds the work personally fulfilling in the ways he’s able to help others.

“I love being able to share information with other people that has been helpful for me, specifically, evidence-based approaches. There's a lot of misinformation out there, and when it comes to health and wellness, misinformation is harmful,” he says.

PHET presents information using a holistic approach – recognizing that health is multifaceted, and simply targeting mental health won’t be effective without addressing other aspects of life and care, from environmental stressors to spiritual wellness.

“I want to inspire students to take small but meaningful steps towards living healthier lives,” says Warawa. “I want to make sure that they feel supported and like they have the resources for their mental health, and to help reduce the stigma around needing help.”

And for those presenting that information, PHET’s events also serve as reminders that they need to take care of themselves, too.

“I find it helpful to be immersed in this sort of stuff, because then it's constant reminders for myself,” says Nelson. “We're giving this information to other people, but it's also for us."

Volunteering in itself has also been beneficial for the pair. Warawa says that her time with PHET has helped her to come out of her shell and get more engaged with the MacEwan community, and has also built her public speaking skills.

Nelson agrees, noting that his volunteer work will help him in the future of his career. “You get to practice all sorts of skills, like one-on-one education and presentations,” he says. “Volunteering in general produces so many benefits – both for yourself and for your community."

To be considered for a future Student Snapshots story, or to suggest someone we should feature, please contact our communications team at communications@macewan.ca.