Mina Wahidi
School Mental Health ASSIST (SMH ASSIST)
Currently the Executive Director & Founder Compassion Society, a non profit organization that assists in the growth of a generous community of people who help one another to lead improved lives. Ms. Mina Wahidi has a history of local and international volunteer work. Having visited Haiti and Afghanistan. Also, through efforts with Rotary Club of Oakville Trafalgar, achieved a $3000 donation for Badilisha Day Orphanage in Kenya.
Compassion is hope with Mina Wahidi #isharehope Episode 75
Summary: Mina’s answer to the five questions! Listen to the full conversation on the player above; also available on iTunes and Stitcher.
Question 1: How do you define hope or what is your favorite quote about hope?
Mina Wahidi:
Hope can be a dangerous thing. I always say this line from the bible “whatever you do to the least of my children, you do unto me”. When you’re in a particular situation, sometimes it’s hard to find hope. I’ve had tough times and I’m struggling to find hope.
Question 2: Who has shared the most hope with you?
Mina Wahidi:
My sister. She is a teacher. She teaches Irish dances in Toronto and she has tried to really understand what I’m going through. She would call me and tries to keep in touch. She did, in her own way, with her experience in life, tried to be there for me.
Question 3: How have you used hope to make it through a difficult time in your life?
Mina Wahidi:
I have a couple of things. One is ‘fake it ‘til you make it’. Sometimes when I’m feeling down, I do pretend a lot. Sometimes I really fake it because sometimes if you pretend to be in a good mood, it can lighten you slightly. I had a big fight with God. Twice in one week I said, you know God, you’re not supposed to give anyone more than they can handle and I said I can’t do this anymore. I can’t handle this anymore. A few days later, I actually met someone and they were so nice to me and I can’t even believe it. I don’t know if that’s an angel or what, but – yeah I had some big fights with God and he really doesn’t deserve it but he’s a merciful God so I think we’re okay.
Years ago, life was very different. People went to church on Sundays. If they had a problem, they’d talk to their pastor. My background is Irish. I remember my neighbors having dinner at 5:00 and at 6:00 they’d read the bible. I remember some people singing hymns in their car going somewhere. There was a lot of praise. There was a lot of belief and faith. I think now we’ve gotten so busy, we don’t know what the hell we’re doing anymore.
Question 4: How are you sharing hope today?
Mina Wahidi:
I love email, minawahidi@hotmail.com, I’m always putting stuff on Facebook like hey, I’m looking for a wheelchair – I was looking for a wheelchair two weeks ago and I got two wheelchairs. People care, but they just want to know what’s going on.
I guess I’d have to switch to the year that I’ve been through. Just anyone who feels this darkness, unless you’ve been there you won’t know what it is, but don’t do it. All I have to say is don’t do it because you have so much potential and God is carrying you. Even though you think you’re alone, he is there. He is just carrying you. You just can’t see it.
There is a course I took which was excellent. It’s a 2-day course through Canadian Mental Health Association. It’s called ASSIST. There’s been a few people I brought to the hospital and it is a bit of a revolving door. With mental health, there is a crisis, it’s not a copout. I used to think some mental health was a bit of a copout, so maybe this is a lesson when I got the severe depression. It’s like hey, it is debilitating.
Question 5: How should I (the listener) begin to grow in hope or share hope today?
Mina Wahidi:
(1) Be yourself.
(2) Advocate for yourself.
(3) Reach out.
Listen to the full conversation on the player above; also available on iTunes and Stitcher.
