When she first arrived at the University of Toronto, Economics major Patricia Trad was shocked by the promotion of mental health resources all over campus. The posters, emails, websites and social media posts about same day counselling appointments, peer support services, and workshops about health and wellness strategies were not part of Trad’s upbringing. Those messages became signposts on Trad’s path toward the mental health improvements that come from maturity, intellectual and personal growth.
“I’ve had problems with anxiety and perfectionism since I was about 15 years old,” the New College student remembered. “Even though I’m a Canadian citizen, I lived my whole life in Lebanon where there are mental health resources, but we just don’t talk about these things! At UofT, not only can you receive one-on-one help, but you’re also periodically reminded that others are doing the same. That sense of community had a profound impact on me.”
When she visits Convocation Hall this October, Trad won’t be carrying any stigma about her pursuit of good health. The culture Trad participated in at UofT dissolved any social stigma through open discussion and sharing space with those who make good mental health hygiene a priority.
“My roommate and very close friend Aliya Pereira is a psychology major,” Trad said. “There is also my friend Julie Souchet. They have been so open about mental health and how important it is. Seeing them take steps to care for their own mental health really inspired me. So, I went to U of T Health & Wellness and told them, ‘I feel like my feelings are not normal.’ That was the start of getting better: therapy and connecting with accessibility services.”
That visit to Health & Wellness enabled Trad to make positive changes. One sign of improvement came when she took ECO483 with Professor Michael Stepner. Her mark after the mid-term was in the mid-60s, by the time she’s written the final exam, it was in the mid-80s. The changes, however, went far beyond her academic performance.
“I was fixing everything in my life,” she said. “I was getting rid of bad people in my life. It just clicked into place where I could think, ‘okay, let me really push on the gas’ and really do whatever I can to help myself. Based on what I was learning and seeing around campus, I felt like my life was gaining structure.”
Like many students her age, Trad feels the maturation and personal growth she has experienced in university means she no longer resembles the person she was when she arrived on campus. Looking back, she sees how adapting to campus life and getting involved in activities helped her. In second year, she got involved in University of Toronto Global Medical Training, a student society that provides free medical care to rural communities and promotes global health on campus. By fourth year, she was its president. She also volunteers with the Fort York Food Bank at College and Borden.
“I’ve met some wonderful people there too,” Trad said. “It’s been a big part of how I’ve built community here.”
If she can leave a piece of advice with current undergraduates before her convocation on October 27th, it is to make use of the opportunities available at the University of Toronto.
“U of T has amazing resources, but because it’s such a big and demanding university, it’s easy to get lost in studies,” she said. “But if you reach out to anyone; academic advisor, a learning strategist, or Health and Wellness, they can guide you toward a path of better well-being.”
Return to the Department of Economics website.
Scroll more news.