Rebekah Sears

Background

About Rebekah Sears

Goal: Mental health supports for all!I've just joined the Canadian Mental Health Association as the National Lived Experience Specialist, working to promote the perspectives and voices of people with lived or living experience of mental illness at the planning and decision-making tables of CMHAI've spent most of my career in the non-profit sector, specifically with international development and peacebuilding. Policy analysis and development has also been an integral part of my career also, with the goal of working for justice and promoting policy that uplifts dignity and human rights for all.This has led me to exciting career opportunities in Canada and abroad: with significant policy analysis in Canada, and internationally, I have worked with local NGOs in both Rwanda and Colombia, and have visited many partners, including in Latin America, Africa and the Middle East. In my over a decade of this work I have noted significant gaps, particularly the proactive and comprehensive support and protection of mental health of staff. As someone living with a chronic mental illness, I notice these shortcomings more easily. And it has made me want to get involved in the mental health sector in a formal way.That's why I'm so excited for this new role, and opportunities to engage on mental health and mental health support, all while staying in the non profit sector!I'll be working on developing strategic plans and processes for bringing in the voices of people with lived and living experience and will bring updates as I go. I would love to expand this work as I dive in. Please feel free to contact me via LinkedIn or at mahoro.rebekah@gmail.com for any inquiries or ideas.