Faces of CMHA: Blaine Wolfe

A point of pride that I still hold on to is delivering a talk on indigenous values and history at last fall’s All-Staff meeting. It was an amazing opportunity to get out of my comfort zone, as this was the first time I had ever given a talk like that, and deliver some knowledge on a topic that I feel passionately about. It was also an opportunity to empower my colleagues to work differently with this unique population, and that while the hurts of the past can seem insurmountable, with empathy and understanding, we can all do our best better.

1. What is involved in your role?

I am the Self-Help Site Facilitator for Cambridge. My role requires me to run various groups on topics relating to mental health, from a peer support approach. As well, I provide 1-1 support to individuals using my own lived experience as a guide to my supportive listening. Working in this organization has also given me the opportunity to use my knowledge of indigenous teachings to support individuals, as well as work towards developing CMHAWW’s cultural competency in regards to working with the indigenous population.

2. Why did you become involved in the mental health field?

My initial calling was working in preschools as an Early Childhood Educator. When I began in this field, I worked mainly in mainstream organizations. As the years passed, I had the opportunity to work in an Indigenous Head Start, a preschool for at-risk indigenous toddlers, where I began to work more with my people, and learn about my heritage with the children that I supported and taught. As well, I began to see the struggles that my people were suffering from, more intimately than ever before. As I continued to work with the families, and support both children and parents, I realized that I needed more education and experience in mental health. I decided to go back to school for my Psychology degree at Carleton University. An interesting choice, as I came to learn, since Carleton is known as a more research oriented school, and I was looking to get some real world experience. But, I made the most of it, learned how to draw a dendrite from memory, and graduated.

3. What brought you to CMHA?

A couple years after I graduated I found myself in Kitchener, moving from Ottawa where I had lived for the past 20 years (The reasons for this move involve a singing competition, the worst hotel in town, and very late night with the best chicken wings I have ever had). A friend told me about the posting for the Site Facilitator role, and a long two weeks later, here I am, presented with an opportunity of a lifetime, working in mental health.

4. What are you proud of during your time at CMHA?

A point of pride that I still hold on to is delivering a talk on indigenous values and history at last fall’s All-Staff meeting. It was an amazing opportunity to get out of my comfort zone, as this was the first time I had ever given a talk like that, and deliver some knowledge on a topic that I feel passionately about. It was also an opportunity to empower my colleagues to work differently with this unique population, and that while the hurts of the past can seem insurmountable, with empathy and understanding, we can all do our best better.

If you are in crisis or wish to discuss whether CMHA has the right service for you, call Here 24/7: 1-844-437-3247 (HERE 247).

Follow the ‘Faces of CMHA’ series for a glimpse into the lives of the people who spend each day at the Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington working to inspire and support people to achieve the quality of life they desire. Join our team, click here to view current employment opportunities at CMHA WW.