Mental Health Research Symposium 2014
Meet Our Team
Vanessa Peynenburg, President and Co-Founder, Lead in Community Outreach
Contact Email: vpeynenb@ualberta.ca
I started the BYOKOB Student Association to broaden the scope of the Be Your Own Kind of Beautiful organization. Although my work previously was focused on junior high and high schools, I think that the university is an important place to raise awareness about mental illness because of how vastly it affects the student population. I hope to include students of the U of A in the filming of our documentary, as I am a firm believer that speaking out about one's own experience is paramount in getting others to speak about theirs, and more importantly, to seek treatment.
BYOKOB will undoubtedly be an organization that I continue to run throughout these endeavours!
Jessica Luc, President and Co-Founder, Lead in Financial Outreach
Contact Email: jgluc@ualberta.ca
BYOKOB is a student organization dedicated to breaking the silence about mental illness, bullying and eating disorders, embracing non-conformity, stop the spread of the language of hate and prejudice and helping individuals find power in their identity. We hope to do this by hearing the voices of individuals and encouraging them to speak out about their experiences, to share their stories with others so that we can all stand along side each other and be agents of change.
I firmly believe in the motto of 'be the change you want to see in the world', and I hope that through Be Your Own Kind of Beautiful, we can touch the lives of many others. I hope to see a world without hatred, without judgement, without discrimination, so that all of us can stand together as allies for peace, healing and social justice.
Dylan Lemelledo, Risk Management
Contact Email: lemelled@ualberta.ca
I believe that mental illness is prevalent worldwide. Yet, there never seems to be much talk about it. I believe that BYOKOB is there in part for that purpose: to simply talk about mental illness.
By reducing the stigma associated with it, I believe that the many people affected directly and indirectly by it will be able to live in a much better world, where ostracization that will aggravate the condition will be limited.
Like many people, I have been affected by mental illness in many ways. Thus, I feel the need to make a change, and I made the decision to join BYOKOB
Joshua-Au-Yeung, Treasurer
Contact Email: jauyeung@ualberta.ca
I wanted to join BYOKOB when I realized that there was a lacking movement towards self-acceptance. For many people, their day is focused upon pleasing others and meeting other people's expectations - whether the expectation is deserved or not. Sometimes this can be a benefit and make people strive to become better- but only if the expectations are supportive. Sometimes the expectations are just plain harmful and can really hurt. I felt this group was built to provide support to those who need it and perhaps help someone who needs a helping hand getting up after falling down.
My goal is that BYOKOB will bring a great deal of acceptance and understanding towards those who have undergone a difficult situation. Everyday circumstances are not the same for everyone and we need to realize that everyone plays apart whether by intentionally acting or unintentionally neglecting. I hope that BYOKOB can pass on the message that you have an impact on those around you, so make it a good one.
Meet Our Design Team
Jeffrey Tao
Contact Email: jjtao@ualberta.ca
I'm too passionate about individual expression, and suppression of that expression that results from bullying is definitely not allowed. Ironically, I began as the suppressor largely towards my brother, who isn't mentally adept. I was relentless in criticizing his inability to conform, and now this is my biggest regret. I was sacrificing my relationships with people for comfort in conformity, and now I'm glad it is all the opposite. This is why I joined BYOKOB, to raise awareness for mental health and individuality. Personally, art and music are the two genres I can proudly express myself with.
The 1st world is exponentially worsening sociologically and psychologically, while the 3rd world bleeds all over; I'm going to send my skills all over the globe. I'm happiest when others smile :)
Telisa Courtney
Contact Email: telisa@ualberta.ca
I joined BYOKOB after searching for a place where I could fi in and make some friends. BYOKOB embodies everything I am passionate about: educating young men and women about the prevalence and dangers of eating disorders and about bullying in general. My goal through this organization is to help end the stigma surrounding mental disorders while working toward my own recovery in my eating disorder.
We are all in this world together: it is time we stopped hating one another and began embracing individuality and self-acceptance.
Keynote Speakers
