Psychology student Ninna Giles received the Lieutenant Governor of Quebec's Youth Medal at a ceremony in Laval on April 26. The Honourable Manon Jeannotte presented the award in recognition of her sustained volunteer involvement and positive influence on her community.
Ninna shared her thoughts and experiences with the Communications Office in an interview. She is grateful for the honour: "It gives me a type of reassurance I can hardly describe, pushing me forward to continue working towards increasing the accessibility of mental health services. Dawson has given me the confidence to pursue these types of goals. The faculty has been a major driving force. They are incredible mentors who are always willing to help in any way they can."
She also reflected on her efforts to bring the Telus GuardMe Ambassador program to Dawson: "Being able to help bring the Telus GuardMe Ambassador program to Dawson has been incredibly rewarding. It means so much knowing students after me will be given an opportunity to participate in education and advocacy efforts for mental health during their time at Dawson. I look forward to seeing how it develops."
Ninna recounted a moment when she realized the impact she was making: "During my time as a counsellor for neurodivergent and special needs individuals, I was granted several opportunities to connect with my clients. One young client stopped me on their last day with me and hugged me so tightly, thanking me for being there for her with tears in her eyes. Her mother later explained to me how her daughter would talk about me every night during dinner, speaking about the lessons we would go through together during the day. They both were so incredibly warm, thanking me for things I hadn't known made that much of a difference. I will never forget that kindness."
As her time at Dawson draws to a close, Ninna reflected on her experience: "The Psychology program at Dawson has exceeded my expectations and has helped solidify my idea of what I want to do. The people within this program are some of the kindest and most compassionate people I've ever met. Overall, Dawson has granted me a type of acceptance and inclusivity I never thought I'd experience."
Looking ahead, Ninna plans to study at the University of British Columbia and hopes to work in mental health.
Ninna expressed gratitude for the support she received from Dawson's teachers and staff. She highlighted "incredible mentors Yanina Chukhovich, Rhea Gurnagul, and Marie-Pierre Gosselin."
