Being an “adult” can seem scary, especially in the middle of a pandemic. Good thing Soch has got your back!

As a part of our South Asian Youth Mental Health Empowerment Program, we are introducing a Keynote Speaker Series! For every Friday in July, we are hosting 4 virtual keynote talks delivered by incredibly experience community members, where each talk topic is catered towards mental health and wellness within the South Asian community.

Information regarding each keynote topic, speaker, and date & time can be found below!

————————————————————-

Keynote #1: Harm Reduction in the South Asian Community: Substance Use and Healthy Habits

• Date & Time: July 8 @ 4PM
• Speaker: Varun Joshi

Varun Joshi is a PhD candidate at the University of Guelph who specializes in environmental criminology and a member of Soch’s Men’s Mental Health Team. Prior to pursuing graduate school, he worked in a variety of front line public service positions, including in a peer support role facilitating substance abuse support programs for youth experiencing homelessness in Ottawa, Ontario. Varun’s workshops explored the different relationships individuals can have with alcohol and how people experiencing substance abuse can approach recovery in a way that is suited to them. Soch has provided Varun with an opportunity to engage in mental health support with the community he was raised in and enjoys providing services in both English and Punjabi.

Keynote #2: Building Resiliency Through Self-Care

• Date & Time: July 15 @ 6PM
• Speaker: Iman Grewal

Iman Grewal is an Artist, Mental Health Advocate, Wellness Expert and Founder / Lead healer at YogaVedaIman. Prior to dedicating her life to wellness, Iman worked for the City of Toronto’s largest contemporary art festival Nuit Blanche which paved the way for her to work as a Producer and Curator for the world’s largest film festival, the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). As a passionate mental health advocate, Iman shares her own story of resiliency and recovery in hopes to help others reach out for help. Currently, Iman is actively pursuing a career as a mental health educator at the Canadian Mental Health Association and as a meditation instructor for CAMH, the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health, the world’s leading mental health hospital. Through Iman’s wellness platform, YogaVedaIman, Iman and her fellow team of healers focus on teaching a holistic approach to self care, self discovery and healing which is offered in groups or one to one sessions combining the A-Y-M approach, Ayurveda, Yoga and Meditation. Iman was led down the path of self healing in her early teens after facing challenges with her own mental health. Iman uses the power of storytelling to share her experiences with childhood trauma, depression, anxiety, PTSD and burnout due to avoiding self care which has resulted in multiple hospitalizations, in hopes to eliminate the stigma related to mental health and express the importance of self care. After prioritizing her own self care and practicing self compassion, Iman began to experience the life changing benefits of the A-Y-M wellness approach which led to Iman’s shift in careers and has since dedicated over 20 years of education and training to re-connect with the world’s leading alternative healing method and way of life originating from her motherland of India. Iman is fueled by her purpose driven mantra of seva (service) to her fellow humans. “When you heal yourself, you heal the world.”

Keynote #3: Career Development for Recent Graduates

• Date & Time: July 22 @ 6PM
• Speaker: Monika Monga

Monika Monga is a human resources professional with experience in full cycle and campus recruitment in both the public and private sector. Her passion for working with students stems from having helped learners through the process of career exploration and to prepare them for the labour market. On her spare time, Monika gives back to the community by volunteering at the YMCA where she helps Newcomers to Canada with search strategies. Likewise, she has volunteered at the New Immigrant Career Fair helping international students with resume writing skills and navigating the Canadian Labour Market. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Masters level Human Resources Management from York University.

Keynote #4: Karen’s Journey as a Recreational Therapist

• Date & Time: July 29 @ 6PM
• Speaker: Karenpal Sangha

Karenpal (Karen) Sangha is a Recreation Therapist with a specialization in Mental Health and Disabilities. She graduated from both Ontario Tech University and from Mohawk College. She currently works for Region of Peel Long Term Care. Prior to working here, she had the opportunity to build her experience through Soch, Punjabi Community Health Services (PCHS4U), and Center for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).

When a person gets sick or hurt their doctor and nurses will help them medically get better, their physiotherapist will help them get physically stronger, their social worker will provide support however a recreation therapist will help a person find their reason to want to get better, stronger and to keep moving forward in life.

————————————————————-

We look forward to you joining us for our Keynote Speaker Series!

If you are interested in signing up for the South Asian Mental Health Empowerment program named “A Crash Course on Adulting”, please sign up via the following link:https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/crash-course-on-adulting-tickets-383480730187