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Amira Faqi

Ottawa, ON

I am a first-generation immigrant currently studying law at university, with a concentration in business law. I come from a Somali background and was born and raised in Ottawa. The city has a large and vibrant Somali community, which has allowed me to grow up with strong community values and to be consistently involved in community initiatives. Over the years, I have witnessed many challenges not only within my community but also in neighbouring communities, inspiring me to become part of the solution in a more structured way. I am currently leading a project aimed at dismantling stereotypes surrounding mental health among first-generation immigrants.

ThirdSpaceMental

ThirdSpaceMental is a mental health initiative focused on bringing a new perspective to first-generation immigrants aswell as those who have migrated here from a different country where mental health treatment is not a prevalent topic. This initiative's aim is to shed more light on mental health diagnosis and the misconceptions surrounding seeking treatment, whether through counselling, medication, or both. The goal is to tackle the stigma around mental health treatment whilst simultaneously helping youth from marginalized backgrounds receive the support they may need.

About this Project

Communities Served

My project will involve and/or impact the following communities:

    United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

    When it comes to community impact projects, the UN has created 17 Sustainable Development Goals. These are the Sustainable Development Goals associated with my project.

      How the project works

      This initiative consists of a 3-day interactive workshop supported by mental health professionals who will touch various subjects relating to mental health. These workshops will allow youth to engage and ask questions whether it is to learn more about mental health issues or seek support. This project will also include a digital campaign to further spread education regarding mental health support and facts that are easily digestible that individuals can share amongst different platforms. Both activities will take place between October-January.

      Project Impact

      The impact we'd hope ThirdSpaceMental to have is for it to be a reference point or an avenue for seeking help or furthering someone's understanding of themself especially if they're coming from an immigrant background where mental health support is not typically a prioritized topic of discussion.

      Project Mission

      The project's aim is to engage youth from diverse cultural backgrounds in discussions about mental health and to emphasize that understanding mental health treatment and diagnosis benefits not only themselves but also those around them. We strive to connect youth seeking help directly with mental health professionals, providing them with essential information and practical tools to navigate challenges, such as communicating with family members and addressing cultural stigma.

      Project Team

      Our team will include 5 team members (social media, event coordination, budgeting, etc.) to ensure that the project runs effectively and effeciently.