Sarah Simpson

With an impressive 96% participant feedback score, Sarah has instructed Mental Health First Aid courses to over 1000 attendees since 2018. Sarah is redefining what it means to be a mental health champion today. She is passionate about highlighting the most important issues our society is grappling with — from understanding trauma and the impact of systematic and institutional oppression, Sarah is challenging those around her to see their role in creating a more equitable society for everyone. Inspired by her own lived experience with mental illness, Sarah has become a warrior for racialized and/or marginalized individuals facing barriers.

Having attended McMaster University and Humber College, Sarah has spent the past 10 years as a social justice advocate, specializing in mental health and criminal justice reform. Her practice background includes extensive experience in education, public policy, clinical, and community-based organizations that work to advocate on behalf of and expand opportunities for youth (age 12-29) facing various barriers, including racialized and marginalized youth, youth with, or at risk of, criminal justice system involvement and youth with mental health problems and mental health disorders. She has been acknowledged for her passion and advocacy and is a proud recipient of the Canadian Federation of University Women award, in recognition of her community work.

Sarah has instructed MHFA courses all across the province for educators, secondary and post-secondary students, social workers, medical practitioners and more. Known for her larger than life personality, a MHFA course with Sarah never has a dull moment. Using technology, multimedia, group discussions and activities, participants will continuously be engaged and feel comfortable approaching all course content. Understanding the importance of knowledge exchange, Sarah not only shares her personal and professional experiences in courses but encourages and allows for attendees to do so as well.

Participants will leave trainings with Sarah with a better understanding of mental health problems and mental health disorders, the ability to recognize the warning signs of the discussed mental health disorders, and confidence to support someone living with mental illness or experiencing a mental health crisis.

In the name of “self care”, Sarah regularly makes time to take care of her mind. Outside of work, she enjoys blasting music from the 90’s, binge watching true crime TV shows, making her way through her “To Be Read” book list, and practicing art through nail expression — something she’s well known for!