This week marks Mental Illness Awareness Week from October 3 – 9 where Canadians are encouraged to embrace, celebrate and connect.
In 2007, October was proclaimed Canadian Islamic History Month in recognition of the significant contributions the Muslim community has made to Canadian society. Throughout the month, Canadians are reflecting on the contribution of Muslim-Canadians to our country’s rich history.
In honour of both celebrations, we’re sitting down with Dr. Yusra Ahmad, MD, FRCPC, a community and academic psychiatrist in Toronto. Dr. Ahmad is affiliated with Women’s College Hospital and the University Health Network, is a Clinical Lecturer at the University of Toronto, a council member for the Ontario Psychiatric Association and is a consultant for CTV’s Transplant.
What interested you in becoming a community and academic psychiatrist?
I chose to become a psychiatrist because I love people and their stories. Every one of us is on a journey and I am deeply honoured to bear witness to portions of the human journey for others. I help my fellow travellers to translate their thoughts and feelings into words, to string these words together into narratives, to gain insight into patterns in their lives, to brainstorm creative solutions to their problems, to serve as a compassionate yet steady anchor as struggles abound and to advocate for changes that may help them fare better.
My faith routinely inspires me to do my part in alleviating the suffering of others and to leave the world a better place than the condition in which I found it.
Listening deeply, holding space with compassion and granting a fellow human being one’s undivided attention is an increasingly rare, but essential act that helps that person feel safe enough to heal. There is a beautiful ripple effect when one person is healed. Through that person, I might also help strengthen relationships in families, workplaces and communities.
