Ammad

Kaiya Peer Support Worker

He/Him

As a teen coming from a strict South Asian Islamic household all my life, I struggled with my personal mental health due to the stigma associated with the topic in my community. When I first joined Kaiya, I had no idea how to deal with my anxiety, and stress or to even have a general conversation around mental health. During that time, I also struggled with accepting myself for being a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.

In my Kaiya group, I was accepted for who I was and always felt heard and appreciated. Not only did my group serve as my chosen family but also as a space where I could develop my mental health toolkit, which has tremendously helped me along my mental health journey.

Now, as a freshman in college, I am excited to create this community and space for others after training as a Kaiya Peer Intern!