Hi everyone! My name is Abby Kiehlbauch and I am the KCR summer student this year. I am Kelowna born and raised, and feel very lucky to be able to call the central Okanagan home.
Volunteering has been a part of my life since I was a kid, and while I always had a love for giving back, my volunteering and advocacy work truly began in middle school. I was diagnosed with anxiety and panic disorder in grade seven, and quickly realized not only how few resources were available to me, but also how little people knew about mental health and mental illness in general. I was determined to make sure no one ever felt as alone as I did. I fought fiercely for further mental health education at both my middle and high school, oftentimes teaching it myself to staff and students. Alongside my individual activism, I have worked closely with an organization called Jack.org for the last seven years.
Jack.org is a national non-profit organization that encourages young people to be mental health advocates in their communities. One of the programs they run is called “Chapters” which provides guidance, funding, and resources to young people wanting to start mental health clubs in their community. I started a chapter at my high school, and joined the chapter at UBCO once I began university. While I was a part of these Jack.org chapters we ran a variety of events including workshops for staff and students, mental wellness fairs, fundraisers, speaker summits and more. Despite the exhaustion of planning events while attending school full time, the conversations I had and connections I made with students, staff, and community members always left me wanting to do more. I am also a Jack.org speaker which has given me the opportunity to speak to young people in Canada about all things mental health. In our talks we cover mental health 101, how to be there for someone who is struggling, along with sharing our own mental health journeys to encourage others to open up.
Volunteering and mental health advocacy truly changed my life. It was, and continues to be a major part of my healing and mental health care. It gave me a purpose when I needed it most. It is an incredible gift to be able to find motivation in your struggles, and forge connections with others who understand what you are going through. Even though volunteering involves giving up your time and/or your expertise, I leave every volunteer experience with something valuable; new friends, opportunities, and amazing memories.
My ultimate goal is to continue to connect with young people, and encourage them to be honest and open with others about their mental health, as sharing stories is key to breaking down the stigma. I believe that there is room for advocacy, connection, and giving back in every space, we simply have to create it.
Dorothee Birker is the communications & development manager for KCR Community Resources.
