Our Blogging Team (SYM) – Free Your Mind Initiative

awareness, understanding, mindfulness.

Our Blogging TEAM: Speak Your Mind

Ava Cervas (She/Her)Co-Director of Speak Your Mind Ava is a current first-year student completing her Bachelor of Arts with a major in Psychology at UBC. She joined the Free Your Mind team as a blogger to kickstart her career in the mental healthcare field, and to join a platform where she could share her knowledge and experiences with the intention to inspire others. Besides Psychology, Ava’s academic passions have always centered around writing. When she’s not typing away on her computer, you can find her analyzing movies, trying fun food spots, and discovering new music. In her free time, Ava also practices her love for crochet and crafting through the small business she runs with her sister, and as an executive for her university’s Knit & Sew club! — Ava Cervas
(She/Her)
Co-Director of Speak Your Mind
Ava is a current first-year student completing her Bachelor of Arts with a major in Psychology at UBC. She joined the Free Your Mind team as a blogger to kickstart her career in the mental healthcare field, and to join a platform where she could share her knowledge and experiences with the intention to inspire others. Besides Psychology, Ava’s academic passions have always centered around writing. When she’s not typing away on her computer, you can find her analyzing movies, trying fun food spots, and discovering new music. In her free time, Ava also practices her love for crochet and crafting through the small business she runs with her sister, and as an executive for her university’s Knit & Sew club!

Sangeetha Vasanthkumar (She/Her)Co-Director of Speak Your Mind Sangeetha is an undergraduate university student in Alberta whose passion is to bring healing to individuals at all levels of health, including physical, mental and spiritual health. Mental health creates several experiences and emotions that are often challenging to reconcile and alter our perception of life in many ways. From her personal experience, she strongly believes that building the foundations for communication in an effort to seek self-help is the most effective strategy to solve mental health issues. She heartily aspires to dedicate herself to lifelong learning about health and hopes to use her knowledge and skills to make a difference in her local community. In her spare time she loves to read, volunteer, and make people laugh. :) — Sangeetha Vasanthkumar
(She/Her)
Co-Director of Speak Your Mind
Sangeetha is an undergraduate university student in Alberta whose passion is to bring healing to individuals at all levels of health, including physical, mental and spiritual health. Mental health creates several experiences and emotions that are often challenging to reconcile and alter our perception of life in many ways. From her personal experience, she strongly believes that building the foundations for communication in an effort to seek self-help is the most effective strategy to solve mental health issues. She heartily aspires to dedicate herself to lifelong learning about health and hopes to use her knowledge and skills to make a difference in her local community. In her spare time she loves to read, volunteer, and make people laugh. 🙂

Naomi S. (She/Her) Blogger Naomi is a fourth-year Bachelor of Arts Psychology Major who is passionate about mental health and de-stigmatizing mental illness. In addition to enjoying her psychology courses, she is also interested in learning more about Asian Religions and Asian Philosophy. In her free time, she likes to draw, play the flute, and ice skate. Her favourite part of the day is the walk to and from university, during which she enjoys listening to music. — Naomi S.
(She/Her)
Blogger
Naomi is a fourth-year Bachelor of Arts Psychology Major who is passionate about mental health and de-stigmatizing mental illness. In addition to enjoying her psychology courses, she is also interested in learning more about Asian Religions and Asian Philosophy. In her free time, she likes to draw, play the flute, and ice skate. Her favourite part of the day is the walk to and from university, during which she enjoys listening to music.

Liv B. (She/Her) Blogger Liv is a blogger for Free Your Mind. She is currently in grade 9 at school. Liv lives with her mom, cat and dog. She has three nationalities: She is Australian, Canadian and Cypriot, but was born in Hong Kong and has lived there for most of her life. Liv joined Free Your Mind as an opportunity to learn more about mental health and decrease mental health stigma. Some topics that Liv talks about in her blogs consist of a teen’s perspective on mental issues that people in todays world face. In her future, Liv strives to have a career in mental health and wants to study in Europe. In her free time Liv enjoys working on her blogs, working out at the gym, practicing her Spanish, rollerblading and attending MUN conferences. Liv is able to speak almost three languages. She is fluent in English and French and can speak Spanish at a B2 level. Liv is super grateful for being a part of Free Your Mind initiative and is dedicated to making the world we live in a happier and healthier place for everyone. — Liv B.
(She/Her)
Blogger
Liv is a blogger for Free Your Mind. She is currently in grade 9 at school. Liv lives with her mom, cat and dog. She has three nationalities: She is Australian, Canadian and Cypriot, but was born in Hong Kong and has lived there for most of her life. Liv joined Free Your Mind as an opportunity to learn more about mental health and decrease mental health stigma. Some topics that Liv talks about in her blogs consist of a teen’s perspective on mental issues that people in todays world face. In her future, Liv strives to have a career in mental health and wants to study in Europe. In her free time Liv enjoys working on her blogs, working out at the gym, practicing her Spanish, rollerblading and attending MUN conferences. Liv is able to speak almost three languages. She is fluent in English and French and can speak Spanish at a B2 level. Liv is super grateful for being a part of Free Your Mind initiative and is dedicated to making the world we live in a happier and healthier place for everyone.

Reet K. (She/Her)Blogger Reet is a Grade 10 student who aspires to raise awareness about mental health and the stigma surrounding it on a cultural level. She is passionate about advocating for equality among all branches of health, whether it is physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual. When not writing, Reet can be found singing, bullet journaling, baking, reading, playing card games, and indulging in hour long podcast episodes. She has a profound interest in the human mind and the way it functions, aspiring to become a psychiatrist. Reet loves spending time with her friends and is a major book enthusiast - she’ll borrow 25 books from the library at once. Being a creative, she enjoys expressing herself in every way possible, whether it’s through voice, art or movement. — Reet K.
(She/Her)
Blogger
Reet is a Grade 10 student who aspires to raise awareness about mental health and the stigma surrounding it on a cultural level. She is passionate about advocating for equality among all branches of health, whether it is physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual. When not writing, Reet can be found singing, bullet journaling, baking, reading, playing card games, and indulging in hour long podcast episodes. She has a profound interest in the human mind and the way it functions, aspiring to become a psychiatrist. Reet loves spending time with her friends and is a major book enthusiast - she’ll borrow 25 books from the library at once. Being a creative, she enjoys expressing herself in every way possible, whether it’s through voice, art or movement.

Mayela L. (She/Her) Blogger Mayela is a consultant, a full-time mother of two, and a content writer who embarked on a journey of self-discovery in 2019 by beginning her psychology studies. In the midst of this path, she arrived in Canada a year ago and has spent this time working on herself to become a better person for her family. Since her teenage years, Mayela has harnessed the power of words to convey her thoughts, fears, and emotions. Writing has been her trusted companion in breaking free from the generational patterns that have defined her life since birth. In fact, she loves writing books for her babies, hoping they will gain a deeper understanding of their own emotions. As a part of "Speak Your Mind," she aspires to share her experiences in case someone else has felt as she did over the years, and hopefully, they'll realize that there’s no need to battle their demons alone. When she's not immersed in her role as a mother, Mayela cherishes moments when she can indulge in pancakes and frappuccinos. Her favorite mantra, "This too shall pass," reflects her ongoing journey of self-discovery and self-love. — Mayela L.
(She/Her)
Blogger
Mayela is a consultant, a full-time mother of two, and a content writer who embarked on a journey of self-discovery in 2019 by beginning her psychology studies. In the midst of this path, she arrived in Canada a year ago and has spent this time working on herself to become a better person for her family. Since her teenage years, Mayela has harnessed the power of words to convey her thoughts, fears, and emotions. Writing has been her trusted companion in breaking free from the generational patterns that have defined her life since birth. In fact, she loves writing books for her babies, hoping they will gain a deeper understanding of their own emotions. As a part of "Speak Your Mind," she aspires to share her experiences in case someone else has felt as she did over the years, and hopefully, they'll realize that there’s no need to battle their demons alone. When she's not immersed in her role as a mother, Mayela cherishes moments when she can indulge in pancakes and frappuccinos. Her favorite mantra, "This too shall pass," reflects her ongoing journey of self-discovery and self-love.

Pooja S. (She/Her)Blogger Pooja is a dedicated HR professional who is equally passionate about mental health and personal well-being. As a blogger for Free Your Mind, she is driven by the desire to support individuals in managing their emotions and achieving a sense of balance in their everyday lives. Pooja hopes to inspire positive change through her writing and offer practical insights to those seeking emotional wellness. Outside of her work, she enjoys activities that fuel her creativity and well-being, such as reading, playing chess, writing, and taking peaceful walks in the rain. Exercising and staying active are also important parts of her routine, helping her maintain both mental clarity and physical health. — Pooja S.
(She/Her)
Blogger
Pooja is a dedicated HR professional who is equally passionate about mental health and personal well-being. As a blogger for Free Your Mind, she is driven by the desire to support individuals in managing their emotions and achieving a sense of balance in their everyday lives. Pooja hopes to inspire positive change through her writing and offer practical insights to those seeking emotional wellness. Outside of her work, she enjoys activities that fuel her creativity and well-being, such as reading, playing chess, writing, and taking peaceful walks in the rain. Exercising and staying active are also important parts of her routine, helping her maintain both mental clarity and physical health.

Nidhi P. (She/Her) Blogger Nidhi is an undergraduate student at the University of Western Ontario, aspiring to major in developmental cognitive neuroscience. She has a very strong interest in psychology and the mind, and she is extremely passionate about mental health advocacy and eradicating the stigma surrounding mental illness. She finds inspiration in writing, which she uses as an outlet to express her emotions and connect with others. In her free time, you can find her reading, baking, playing several instruments such as the piano, clarinet, and alto saxophone, and watching Korean dramas. — Nidhi P.
(She/Her)
Blogger
Nidhi is an undergraduate student at the University of Western Ontario, aspiring to major in developmental cognitive neuroscience. She has a very strong interest in psychology and the mind, and she is extremely passionate about mental health advocacy and eradicating the stigma surrounding mental illness. She finds inspiration in writing, which she uses as an outlet to express her emotions and connect with others. In her free time, you can find her reading, baking, playing several instruments such as the piano, clarinet, and alto saxophone, and watching Korean dramas.

Manpreet V. (She/Her) Blogger Manpreet is a fourth year Psychology student living in British Columbia. Manpreet loves to spend her time volunteering in the community and on campus in the hopes of destigmatizing mental health. In addition to being dedicated to her local community, she is passionate about learning everything psychology has to offer while also writing to express herself. When Manpreet is not volunteering her time, she can be found either at work, baking something sweet, or curled up reading a new book with a cute drink. For self-care, Manpreet often finds herself listening to Spotify, journaling, practicing yoga or going for walks -which she highly recommends everyone try! — Manpreet V.
(She/Her)
Blogger
Manpreet is a fourth year Psychology student living in British Columbia. Manpreet loves to spend her time volunteering in the community and on campus in the hopes of destigmatizing mental health. In addition to being dedicated to her local community, she is passionate about learning everything psychology has to offer while also writing to express herself. When Manpreet is not volunteering her time, she can be found either at work, baking something sweet, or curled up reading a new book with a cute drink. For self-care, Manpreet often finds herself listening to Spotify, journaling, practicing yoga or going for walks -which she highly recommends everyone try!

Land Acknowledgement
In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge that we live, work and play on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, the Métis Nation (Region 3), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.