Manya Chawla, a second-year Bachelor of Arts student in Psychology with a minor in French and President of the SMU Mental Health Society
May is Mental Health Awareness Month in Canada. It is a time dedicated to starting the conversation and creating safe, open spaces to talk and learn about the ways mental illnesses can affect people’s lives. The goal is to reduce barriers to seeking support by breaking down the stigma of mental health.
For second-year Psychology student Manya Chawla, mental health advocacy is deeply personal. At an early age, she witnessed firsthand how isolating it can feel to experience mental health struggles, especially when it feels like no one is talking about it.
“Stigma thrives in silence,” Manya claims. “When we don’t talk about mental health, the myths, misconceptions and fears build up. Unchecked, these can grow into feelings of shame, which can often drive people to isolation or deeper struggles.”
Manya was recently named this year’s David G. Smith Memorial Award recipient for the work she is doing, both at Saint Mary’s and within her community, to support those facing mental health and illness challenges. The award, named in memory of David G. Smith, “is designed to recognize students whose endeavours help to reduce the stigma often associated with mental illness and/or mental health concerns, through lived experience, support, advocacy and/or celebration of others.”
SMU Mental Health Student Society at the Societies Expo
Manya is the President of the Mental Health Society at Saint Mary’s, a student-led group that focuses on creating inclusive events and peer-led conversations that normalize seeking help. “One of the biggest highlights for our society this year was our week-long initiative, Let’s talk SMU, where students were invited to share their mental health stories through art and spoken word,” Manya describes. The society also hosted collaborative events with The Counselling Centre and other student societies, aiming to foster open conversations about mental health and intersectionality.
“Receiving the David G. Smith Award is an honour and a reminder of the importance of the work we’re doing here at SMU, through initiatives like our peer support, awareness campaigns and community engagement,” Manya exclaims. “This award reaffirms my commitment to mental health advocacy and motivates me to keep challenging stigma and creating space for people to feel seen and supported.”
Outside of Saint Mary’s, Manya is heavily involved in mental health and mental illness-based community work, volunteering for organizations including Nova Scotia Health and Autism Nova Scotia. “This work allows me to support individuals with diverse backgrounds and needs, while also advocating for system-level change,” Manya notes.
If stigma lives in silence, Manya is using her voice to break that silence at every opportunity. “I aim to make mental health dialogue more approachable and to help reduce the burden of perceived shame,” Manya shares. “Creating a culture of awareness means making mental health a regular part of the conversation. Whether it’s checking in with each other, being open about our lived experiences, having discussions in classrooms and work environments, or promoting resources to spread awareness, we need to be talking about this year-round.”
Before taking on the world as a catalyst for change, Manya hopes to expand the peer support network of the Mental Health Society at Saint Mary’s, making mental health resources more intersectionally inclusive and integrated more broadly across campus.
“My coursework in psychology and my hands-on leadership through the society have given me a great foundation,” Manya states. “Meanwhile, SMU Community Service Learning placements and research opportunities have allowed me to build upon this by exploring systemic issues and community-based solutions.”
At Saint Mary’s, there is a breadth of health and wellness resources available, including professional and peer-based supports. Visit Health, Wellness and Supports to learn about resources on campus. If you’re looking to get involved, reach out to the SMU Mental Health Society of The Counselling Centre for opportunities.
“You don’t need to be an expert to make a difference,” Manya encourages. “Start small. Listen, learn and speak up. Caring and showing up is a powerful first step.”
