Community Health and Education Specialist (MSW)

Saamiyah Ali-Mohammed, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

By Ayse Aras, Career Centre Peer

During her undergraduate studies in Psychology and Biology at the University of Toronto, Saamiyah Ali-Mohammed explored her passion for understanding disparities in mental health among marginalized populations. Her early experience in researching mental health inequities led her to pursue a Master in Public Health (MPH) at McMaster University. Following completion of this degree, Saamiyah worked in various public health research capacities, one of which included serving as a Project Coordinator for a grant with the Institute for Global Health Equity and Innovation where she supported a psychoeducation research project in different Muslim communities. Saamiyah hosted group discussions designed to raise awareness of community mental health programs, reduce stigma, and foster greater willingness among youth to access mental health services. Through her community workshops, she noticed a recurring theme: participants frequently asked how to access the mental health services she mentioned, and how these services aligned with their spiritual or cultural values. These conversations sparked a deeper interest in direct practice, motivating Saamiyah to not only study mental health from a research perspective but also to pursue a Master of Social Work (MSW) at Laurier to engage in more culturally inclusive frontline care.

Saamiyah currently works as both a Psychotherapist with Wellnest and as a Community Health and Education Specialist with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). Saamiyah completed two practicum placements during her MSW with the CAMH in Child Youth Family Services, and the Mood and Anxiety department, which she emphasized were both incredible learning opportunities. As a Community Health and Education Specialist, Saamiyah continues to use research and statistical skills, as well as her skills in social service that she built throughout years of academic and professional experiences. Her research areas include studying populations with mental health concerns, including racialized populations. For example, one of her projects involves researching clients’ usage of the Internet-based Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (ICBT) program to better understand the program's effectiveness. Saamiyah notes that the role has not required the use of advanced statistical methods (that she learned in her advanced stats courses) but does involve applying some statistical thinking to interpret outcomes – which is reassuring for those who may have an interest in research but are concerned about complex analytics! The most complex analysis in Saamiyah’s role involves using standardized assessment scales to measure a client’s mental health levels. In her role, Saamiyah enjoys contributing client data that helps ensure the voices of those served are considered in public health decision-making.

Saamiyah’s combined research, mental health advocacy and psychotherapy experience has taught her to not assume what a client’s needs are, and to make every effort to understand a client to continue developing as a service provider. Therefore, it is important to listen to clients lived experiences and utilize all the information given. In Saamiyah’s CAMH role, a challenge is that her work focuses more on the general population with mental health concerns, rather than a more tailored individual focus, and meeting eligibility criteria is required to qualify for certain programs. For example, many of the hospitals administering the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy program require clients to speak either English or French - and this can sometimes be exclusionary for multicultural clients. Saamiyah explains, “In effort to support as many individuals as possible, you lose some of the nuance in the practice that would come with a more individualized approach.” She compares this issue to the contrast between her other role as a Psychotherapist, where she tailors her service depending on individual client needs.

For students interested in this line of work, Saamiyah suggests that adaptability and being open to learning is important, as funding continuously shifts in the mental health sector based on the priorities of the present government and the requirements of the Ministry of Health. Saamiyah emphasizes that plenty of her learning occurred on the job, and not simply in her studies. As a result, she says that being open to professional development and leaving your comfort zone is essential. Saamiyah adds that the diverse lived experiences and skill set that each student brings can all add value to this line of work.