Black Student Wellness

The Black Student Success Centre is dedicated to supporting and championing the holistic (academic, personal, and professional) success and overall well-being of Black/African descent students and fostering a positive Black student and athlete experience.

The Black student success centre is pleased to be able to provide you with a dedicated Black Student Wellness Counsellor.

Our experienced Black Student Wellness Counsellor offers a warm and supportive space throughout your undergraduate and graduate journey. Through a first consultation appointment, they will explore your needs and together, you can find a direction forward that feels authentic and fulfilling to you.

 

Meet our Black Wellness Counsellor, Ola Kuforiji

 

Ola brings 10 years of experience working in the field of mental health across community-based, non-profit and institutional healthcare settings. Ola began his career working as a research assistant at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, the Toronto General Research Institute and the Sunnybrook Research Institute.  He is a person-centred counsellor who draws on the modality of CBT  in his work.  Through his counselling practice, he has effectively supported young people and adults from diverse backgrounds.  For a number of years, Ola volunteered with Ujima House, an Afrocentric father-focused parenting centre and community hub in Toronto Ontario. Ola holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) from the University of Toronto and a Masters in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University in New Brunswick.

Wellness Counsellors and Support

Ola Kuforiji MA, RP(Q)

Black Student Wellness Counsellor

Email: kuforo1@mcmaster.ca

Ola brings 10 years of experience working in the field of mental health across community-based, non-profit and institutional healthcare settings. Ola began his career working as a research assistant at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, the Toronto General Research Institute and the Sunnybrook Research Institute.  He  is a person-centered counsellor who draws on the modality of CBT  in his work.  Through his counselling practice he has effectively supported young people and adults from diverse backgrounds.  For a number of years Ola volunteered with Ujima House, an Afrocentric father focused parenting centre and community hub in Toronto Ontario. Ola holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) from the University of Toronto and a Masters in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University in New Brunswick.

A headshot of Glenda van der Leeuw

Glenda van der Leeuw , MSW, RSW (through the Student Wellness Centre)

Social Worker, Student Counsellor

Email: vandeg5@mcmaster.ca
Phone: 905.525.9140 x 23920

An Afro-Surinamese born registered social worker & Mac alumni. Utilizes a trauma-informed and anti-oppressive approach with critical attention to intersectionality to honor the full expression of each student. Offers a space for Black students to reclaim their mental health to achieve psychological fortitude and emotional freedom through exploring and expanding meaningful Blackness.

BlackXscape logo

Black Xscape

Peer Support Group

Email: bxscape@mcmaster.ca

The student-led Black X-Scape offers space for Black students to have safe and liberating discussions about mental health and healing. Black students can freely express themselves, and have conversations on the nuances of mental health, wellness, stigma, and more. Sharing resources, support, coping skills, and collective healing, in addition to exploring and expanding on meaningful Blackness.

Register Here

This program is in partnership with the Student Wellness Centre.

Logo artwork designed by Lilainie Akosua Adjei-Addo

Active Programming

The Black X-Scape

Thursdays (Bi-Weekly), 4:30pm - 6:00pm In Person

The student-led Black X-Scape offers space for Black students to have safe and liberating discussions about mental health and healing. Black students can freely express themselves, have conversations on the nuances of mental health, wellness, stigma, and more. Sharing resources, support, coping skills and collective healing, in addition to exploring and expanding on meaningful Blackness.

Register Here

Please refer to our administrative email for questions and meeting updates at bxscape@mcmaster.ca

This program is in partnership with the Student Wellness Centre.

Logo artwork designed by Lilainie Akosua Adjei-Addo

The Black X-ScapeLearn More

 

Past Programming

Mental Health & Wellbeing: Drop-In Session for Black Students Group Sessions

Winter 2022: Starting March 2nd – Wednesdays (5 wks.) Time: 1:30 – 3:00pm

Exploring the imposter phenomenon

Why do feelings of inadequacy follow me? Let’s explore the imposter phenomenon from a unique Black perspective that is internalized through structural anti-Blackness. In this 5-week group session, Black students will reflect on lived experiences to identify, and understand feelings of imposter and learn its impact on mental distress. We will discuss what is harming your confidence and impeding your ambitions.

In addition, Black students will gain strategies and tools to increase self-acceptance and personal empowerment to thrive.

For more information or to register, email Glenda van der Leeuw MSW, RSW at vandeg5@mcmaster.ca or bss@mcmaster.ca

For additional support, you can also connect with The Student Wellness Centre reception so they can create a chart for you and be intentional about your needs. Call 905-525-9140 x 27700 or visit their website to learn more.

Black Student-Athlete Check-ins with Rohan Thompson Group Sessions

Ongoing group sessions :

Wednesdays: September 29th / October 13th & 27th / November 10th & 24 / December 8th all from 12:30pm-2:30pm

Rohan Thompson is a dedicated licensed social worker/psychotherapist. Versed in a broad range of treatment approaches, Rohan has more than 15 years of experience working with individuals and families who need support navigating challenges, healing from traumas, and maintaining mental wellness. He has also worked closely with organizations to improve employee mental health and ensure equity-driven policies, programming, and executive leadership. Rohan’s experience as a psychotherapist and consultant is backed by a Master of Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University, where he was a member of the football team, as well as his passion is fueled by an unwavering belief in the value and impact of mental wellness. In addition to his counselling and consulting work, Rohan supports his community as a youth football coach and a board member of a local not-for-profit.

For more information or meet with Rohan, please email him at: rohan@thebreakthrough.ca

For crisis support, please visit www.wellness.mcmaster.ca/crisis-support/ for immediate resources and support.

Black Student-Athlete Check-ins with Rohan Thompson

Ongoing one-on-one appointments available:

Thursdays: October 7th & 21st / November 4th & 18th / December 2nd & 16 all available for an hour 11:30am /12:30pm / 1:30pm

Rohan Thompson is a dedicated licensed social worker/psychotherapist. Versed in a broad range of treatment approaches, Rohan has more than 15 years of experience working with individuals and families who need support navigating challenges, healing from traumas, and maintaining mental wellness. He has also worked closely with organizations to improve employee mental health and ensure equity-driven policies, programming, and executive leadership. Rohan’s experience as a psychotherapist and consultant is backed by a Master of Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University, where he was a member of the football team, as well as his passion is fueled by an unwavering belief in the value and impact of mental wellness. In addition to his counselling and consulting work, Rohan supports his community as a youth football coach and a board member of a local not-for-profit.

For more information or meet with Rohan, please email him at: rohan@thebreakthrough.ca

For crisis support, please visit www.wellness.mcmaster.ca/crisis-support/ for immediate resources and support.

Black Student Mental Health Peer Support

Launched in Feb 2022, this student-led peer support group is an opportunity to reclaim your mental health and wellness. Black students, take lead in being a part of creating a safe space.

Upcoming Meeting Dates:

March 10th, 6-7 pm

March 24th, 6-7 pm

April 7th, 6-7 pm

April 21st, 6-7 pm

To register email  bxscape@mcmaster.ca

This program is in partnership with the Student Wellness Centre

Events

Coming soon…

Resources

Resources

Pioneers of Black Mental Health #BHMMAC2023

The Student Wellness Centre has put together a collection of Pioneers in Black Mental Health in recognition of February as Black History Month (BHM) – a time to celebrate the contributions and achievements of Black and African diasporic peoples. To celebrate, the SWC counselling team has curated list of Black Historic pioneers who have contributed to the field of mental health & wellness. Check out the below for mini-biographies and achievement highlights.

To learn more about the collection click here.