I’m Melissa and I’m the Student Mental Health Specialist. My role involves developing, implementing, and evaluating student wellness initiatives at SAIT. I care deeply about students' mental health and wellbeing and truly believe our campus can bring out the best in students when we work together. The resilience of the SAIT community and its willingness to come together to support students continues to stand out to me.
It’s my wish that students leave SAIT and embark on their next adventures with a strong sense of pride and a deep knowing that they can face challenges because their campus community cared and supported them well.
I have an intimate understanding of SAIT programs and SAIT students’ challenges and strengths having worked on the SAIT counselling team between 2013 and 2022. I’m a registered psychologist in Alberta and received my Masters of Science in Applied Psychology (Counselling) from the University of Calgary.
Oki, Âba wathtech, Danit'ada, Tawnshi, Hello.
SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.
We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta.