Mentors

PATH mentors are available to meet with any students taking BPMH courses to discuss a variety of issues. The team is organizing a series of events for next semester – stay tuned for more on this website soon!

Hi! My name is Calista (she/they), and I’m a fourth-year majoring in Critical Studies of Equity and Solidarity with a double minor in Psychology and Buddhism, Psychology, and Mental Health. I’m passionate about cultivating safe, inclusive, and sustainable spaces for communities to collectively learn, heal, and care for each other. (Re)connecting with nature and building relationships with Mother Earth have been instrumental to my well-being and holistic journey, and I’m thrilled to help others in their own holistic PATHways. I look forward to learning from all of you and making connections!

Hello! My name is Lauren, I am in my third year, majoring in Environmental Biology & Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, with a minor in Buddhism, Psychology and Mental Health. I practice in the Plum Village tradition founded by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. I feel that I have truly found my spiritual family in this community and with my peers. I am so grateful to be a part of PATH and I aspire to cultivate a space where everyone feels welcomed and safe. I hope to nourish our community by providing support and planting seeds of compassion in my speech, listening, and actions.

My name is Louis and I am in my 5th year, majoring in Cognitive Science and minoring in Creative Expression and Society and the Buddhism, Psychology, and Mental Health program. My experience with the BPMH program has been an absolute gift. It has an incredibly warm and welcoming sense of community that has provided me with a safe space to explore and and expand my knowledge of self-awareness, compassion, and wisdom.

Outside of school, I play music, write & perform songs, as well as make short films, most of which are thematically related to Buddhist concepts such as impermanence or non-self. I find that creative acts are a great way to engage with and consolidate the teachings of the Dharma. My goal as a PATH Peer Mentor is to encourage this kind of creativity in as many people as possible.

I’m Laura and I’m a New College alum with a Bachelor’s Arts Degree with a major in Criminology and double minor in Philosophy and Buddhism, Psychology and Mental Health (BPMH). I joined PATH because I have a passion for community-building and mental health support. Through my time at the BPMH program and in practicing with the Wake Up Toronto Sangha, I’ve come to use Buddhist teachings and practices for healing and coping with trauma. I look forward to meeting fellow students of the BPMH program and providing support and care to the community.

Outside of the University, I practice yoga everyday and love reading and writing fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. Next year I will attend Emmanuel College’s Masters in Pastoral Studies with a certificate in Psychotherapy and Spiritual Care. I plan on becoming a trauma-informed yoga teacher and psychotherapist, integrating my passion for caring for the body with identifying and healing the root of personal issues.

I’m Frances, and I’m the current Director of the BPMH program. I’ve been teaching at the University for almost twenty years! I mostly teach courses on Buddhism in the Department for the Study of Religion, and I’ve done research on medical and healing traditions in Buddhist cultures. I’m also a dancer, surfer, and mom. I’m really proud of the amazing student mentors building this program and look forward to working with BPMH students and faculty on further developing our network of community care.