A woman from Surrey, B.C., is on a mission to change the stigma of mental health. At only 22 years old, she’s already an award-winning mental health activist, medical school hopeful, humanitarian, and suicide survivor.
So it’s fitting that Rabiah Dhaliwal is the newest recipient of Canada’s Walk of Fame Community Hero. The award is presented annually to acknowledge International Women’s Day. Given to inspiring women whose journeys inspire others.
Dhaliwal has been overcoming adversity experienced in her teens. At the age of 15, without resources available to share what she was going through, Dhaliwal struggled with mental health. As a result, she spent two months in an adolescent psychiatric ward.
While in care, Dhaliwal received helpful coping tools. Today, she commits to lending her voice to champion awareness and education about mental health inequities, suicide prevention, and disability justice.
Inspiring work life
Dhaliwal is the founder and director of Voices for Hope Foundation. The non-profit organization aims to challenge stigmas around mental health through educational initiatives. For example, she recently called for a Mental Health Parity Act while speaking at Canada’s House of Commons. As well, she has created ‘sensory hub’ spaces in schools where neurodiverse students can decompress.
As the former vice president of the One Blood for Life Foundation, Dhaliwal recruited over 1,400 stem cell registrants and more than 3,000 blood donors. Her aim? To educate people from various ethnic backgrounds of the importance of the stem cell registry and bone marrow network. And to better reflect the diversity of patients hoping to find a life-saving stem cell match.
Recognition beyond borders
Prince William honours the legacy of his late mother each year with an award that acknowledges exceptional youth from around the world. Above all, it goes to those who inspire and mobilize new generations to create long lasting change globally. While serving their communities.
Rabiah Dhaliwal is the Canadian selected to receive the 2021 Diana Award. Proof that the innovation, courage, and collaboration of this remarkable young woman reaches far beyond community and country. And will continue to do so.
