Mental Health Advocacy and Creating Your Own Path – Meet Devina Mishra
The beginning of each new semester at Cape Breton University brings not only a new cohort of students but another round of events and activities to welcome those students, during CBU鈥檚 Week of Welcome (WOW). Hosting these events would not be possible without the commitment and dedication of the WOW Leaders, students who provide their support all week long to ensure new students have everything they need to start their journey on a positive note. Devina Mishra, a third-year Bachelor of Arts student majoring in Psychology, will be returning as a WOW Leader once again.
Originally from Bhopal, India, Devina had taken a year off after graduating from high school to intern at a local school that supported students with special abilities. This experience fuelled her passion for inclusivity and mental health advocacy, which led her to establish a mental health organization in India, Let鈥檚 Speak Up, where she currently leads a team of over 50 dedicated members. She continues her work from afar while attending CBU, where she ambitiously strives to broaden her skill set.
Making this big of a move in life was not an easy decision for Devina, but her first experiences at CBU helped ease the transition immensely. 鈥淥ne of my favourite things about CBU has been the opportunity to socialize with other students like myself, especially when I first arrived,鈥� says Devina. 鈥淭his experience really helped me get comfortable and find my place in a new country and environment. It was through these connections that I began to discover new sides of myself, which has been incredibly rewarding.鈥�
Devina鈥檚 first few weeks on campus provided her the invaluable opportunity to connect with other students. This allowed her to adapt to her new surroundings more efficiently and create connections that helped to build her confidence in communicating with others. Devina also jumped at the opportunity to continue her networking by volunteering with the CBU Students鈥� Union. 鈥淰olunteering with the CBUSU allowed me to participate in various events and establish connections with different departments, which further enhanced my understanding of the campus and surrounding 福利免费在线看,鈥� says Devina. 鈥淏y getting involved in activities around campus early on, I was able to gain insight into how things worked in a different country. When it came time for my second year, I felt much more confident in myself and my abilities, which prepared me for the roles I鈥檝e taken on since.鈥�
A core memory of Devina鈥檚 involves Assistant Professor of Psychology, McLennon Wilson, who wrote a letter of recommendation for Devina. 鈥淐oming from a different country and having someone outside of my family believe in me like that was truly impactful,鈥� Devina states. 鈥淎nother highlight of my time at CBU has been volunteering as a WOW leader. It continues to be some of the most fulfilling experiences, and has added a lot of value to my journey here.鈥�
Devina first became a WOW Leader in September of 2023, before moving into other positions throughout CBU. She later worked as Game Day staff with the Athletics and Recreation Department and a Peer Support Leader with the Nancy Dingwall Health and Counselling Centre. Currently, Devina is the Social Media and Marketing Coordinator for Recreation in the CBU Athletics and Recreation Department.聽
Devina credits each role she has held at CBU for providing her with new skills. Being a WOW Leader strengthened her leadership and communication skills, being a part of the Game Day staff taught her the importance of teamwork and adaptability, her work as a Peer Support Leader increased her empathy and interpersonal skills and her role as a Social Media and Marketing Coordinator has helped her develop crucial skills like digital marketing, content creation and strategic planning.聽
Devina encourages new students to be patient and to try and not worry about things beyond their control. 鈥淭rust that everything will eventually fall into place and remember that your journey is unique, so don鈥檛 compare it to others,鈥� she emphasizes. 鈥淔ocus on creating your own path, embrace opportunities and be active. Your time at CBU will give you the opportunity to explore, grow and become the best version of yourself.鈥�