The Campus Peer Support Pilot Project

Bonnie Lipton-Bos is a learner. Ideas excite her. She loves collaborating with people to create and innovate. In her role at CMHA National, she mobilizes her professional experience as a social worker, community developer and Student Affairs leader. Her passion for peer support is grounded in her personal experience. After years of hiding her struggles with mental health issues, Bonnie is grateful to bring her whole self to her current work

Caitlin Jacobs is a Queer Jewish white settler living on Michii Saagiig territory in Nogojiwanong (so called Peterborough). She works at Trent University as the Conduct Coordinator, and Peer Support Coordinator. Caitlin is a mediator, educator, social worker, and Transformative Justice facilitator. She has worked with young people and adults who have experienced and/or caused harm for the past 8 years, and centres accountability, care, empathy, humility, and Nonviolent Communication (Marshall Rosenberg) in her work.

Christine Crough began her career in children’s mental health and over the last 27 years have had the privilege to work alongside some amazing people in various sectors and settings. Following her work in youth mental health services, she then moved into the developmental service sector, and over the last 10 years she has been grounded in community based mental health sector work. Her key strengths lie in her ability to be innovative, to think and act strategically, and to redevelop programs, services or processes that bring about positive change for the people we support.

Joaquin Santana has been a peer support worker for about 20+ years supporting Trans and gender diverse individuals. Joaquin is passionate about helping Trans folks find access to gender affirming health care and community. Joaquin currently lives in Michi Saagiig territory in Nogojiwanong and grew up in Dominican Republic, Boston and New York City. He loves spending time with his family and learning new things.

Corey Ferguson attended St. Thomas University (BA [Psychology & Criminology, Sociology]). During her time at STU, she struggled with mental illness resulting in two separate hospitalizations which ended her studies. Corey returned to school in 2013, graduated and was hired by the CMHA of NB in 2014. Her work with CMHA has allowed her to use her personal experience to educate communities about mental wellness/illness. Corey is a Peer Support Consultant, Certified Psychological Health and Safety Advisor, Champion for Inclusion through the NB Disability Executives Network, trained to facilitate a broad range of programs/workshops, and an experienced special event speaker.

Matthew MacLean transforms evidence and research into practical and innovative strategies that promote mental well-being and growth at the community and individual level. With a background in counselling, mental health and accessibility, Matt has worked in Higher Education for fifteen years across multiple provinces and institutions. Matt has a particular interest in peer-based support, international student wellbeing, belonging, Mental Health Literacy, EDI, and positive psychology. Matt is the Mental Health Strategist at the University of New Brunswick and lives with his wife and son in Mactaquac, NB.

Lauren White has been a part of the CMHA of NB team for 4 years now acting as the Provincial Peer Support Consultant. She is a previous graduate of St. Thomas University majoring in both Sociology and Criminology. Her lived experience with mental health has fueled her passion for Peer Support.