Building community: Social Work student Ashley Hauer is a champion of mental health and well-being

“Social Work student Ashley Hauer has worked with many community organizations that support physical and mental health and well-being, including the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Crohn’s and Colitis Canada and Kids Help Phone. While at McMaster, she has also led mental health initiatives, including the summit for Jack.Org McMaster, a grassroots mental health network for young people, and served as a peer educator at the Student Wellness Centre. Hauer recently received the Albert Lager Prize for Student Initiative in recognition of her leadership, service and community involvement. Here’s what she had to say ahead of her June 17 convocation: How has McMaster shaped the person you are today? Since starting at McMaster four years ago, I have changed a lot. From getting lost on my way to the Arts Quad for a campus tour to giving tours to incoming Social Sciences students and families, I can honestly say I am not the same person who first arrived on campus. McMaster helped me build the confidence to pursue new opportunities, challenge myself and focus on personal and professional growth. A huge part of that came from the communities I found here. Through clubs, placement, research and extracurriculars, I met people who encouraged me to grow, lead and learn alongside them. Over time, I have developed values that I know will stay with me throughout my life and future career, including empathy, community care, curiosity and advocacy. I think my younger self would be proud, and honestly very grateful, that I chose McMaster, because of the person I have become and the people who have helped shape me along the way. Tell us about a favourite memory during your time at McMaster One of my favourite memories was being part of the McMaster Recreational Dance Team. Continuing something I love at university, learning how to tap dance, which I had wanted to try for years, and meeting such an amazing group of people made the experience really meaningful. It taught me the importance of making space for what energizes me, even during busy academic periods, and that balance is something I will carry forward. Another highlight was speaking at Social Work Research Day, which I co-organized with MSW students and staff. Presenting preliminary research on the use of music as a tool for intergenerational communication was a rewarding experience that helped me build skills and connections I will carry forward. What was your proudest achievement at McMaster? My proudest achievement at McMaster has been the opportunities I have had to help build community, especially around mental health and student well-being. As vice-president of Summit for Jack.org McMaster , I led a team in planning a two-day mental health summit that brought together students from different faculties, backgrounds and lived experiences. We created space for vulnerable and important conversations about mental health, alongside speakers, activities and interactive programming. I felt the same way in my role as president of Cam’s Kids McMaster, where I supported student mental health initiatives through programming, outreach and community-building events. Building a community of people who genuinely care about encouraging one another and creating meaningful change in the mental health space was incredibly impactful. Seeing students connect with one another in those spaces, and knowing I helped facilitate that, has meant a lot to me. How do you think it is going to feel crossing the convocation stage? It still does not feel real that I am graduating after four of the most formative years of my life. People always told me it goes by quickly, and they were right. Looking back on my time at McMaster, it feels surreal to have reached a point in my journey I have been working toward for years. Crossing the convocation stage, I think I will feel a mix of pride and disbelief. Being surrounded by peers who have reached the same milestone, along with staff and family who guided us along the way, will make it feel very full circle. When I receive my diploma, it will make all the time, effort, and growth feel real. It represents not just the end of my undergraduate degree, but the beginning of a new chapter. Who will you be thinking about when you cross the stage? There are many professors who have shaped my interests, learning and growth (you know who you are)! I am especially grateful to the Student Success Centre for their support with developing my writing skills (shoutout Chantalle and Ben), the Student Wellness Centre Health Promotion team for providing me with so many opportunities as a peer educator, and the Faculty of Social Sciences for their ongoing mentorship and kindness (shoutout Meghan and Cindy!) I will also be thinking about the many people I have had the chance to learn from through extracurriculars, research and placements, which have each influenced my journey in different ways. Most of all, I will be thinking of my family: my mom, dad, brother, grandmother, and of course, my puppy Crosby, who have encouraged me every step of the way. What do you plan to do/see yourself doing in the future? My plan is to continue pursuing my education through graduate studies. I enjoy learning from professors, peers, placements and community-based experiences that challenge and shape my perspective, and I want to continue building on that. I also want to continue giving back to the communities that have shaped me, especially in ways that center wellness and transitions through different stages of care and life. What’s a great piece of advice you’ve been given that you think other students could benefit from? Many of my professors have shared this piece of advice over the years, but only now, as I reflect on my upcoming graduation, do I recognize its truth and importance: If you look to your left and right in your classes, the people around you, including peers and professors, are your future colleagues. They may become future co-workers, supervisors, or professional connections. I have taken this advice to heart by making an effort to connect with people beyond the classroom, making time for those extra conversations, learning about their interests, and supporting them in return. I have also valued engaging in extracurriculars through my program, including the Social Work Student Collective, the McMaster Social Sciences Society and the Faculty of Social Sciences, which has allowed me to learn from and collaborate with people across different areas of the faculty. The post Building community: Social Work student Ashley Hauer is a champion of mental health and well-being appeared first on McMaster News .

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