African Canadian Women in the Public Service launches Peer Support Pilot Team
Contributed by Kristen Tynes
Executive Director , Maintenance Enforcement and Victim Services
NS Department of Justice
Members of African Canadian Women in the Public Service
When Mary Sisco Sleigh started with the Nova Scotia Department of Justice almost 20 years ago, there were hardly any other women of African Nova Scotian or African descent in her division. With so little representation, being able to connect with and gain support from peers with a similar lived experience was a challenge.
Fortunately that's no longer the case. Today, Mary is co-chair of the African Canadian Women in the Public Service (ACWPS). Since its creation in 2011, the ACWPS has seen first-hand the benefits of being able to connect with someone who has walked in similar shoes. Thanks to the hard work of the ACWPS, Sisters have been able to network to share skills, provide that necessary listening ear and support each others’ mental health in the work environment.
New Peer Support Pilot Program will Support Workplace Mental Health
While much progress has been made, Recent events like the COVID pandemic and Black Lives Matter Movement have shed light on systemic injustices, emphasizing even further the importance of mental health supports. When the ACWPS leadership recently heard about a peer support program opportunity, they knew they had to have it for their members.
Offered in partnership with the province’s Office of Workplace Mental Health and the Tema Foundation, the new trauma-informed Peer Support program offers support to ACWPS members who have been dealing with blatant discrimination or micro-aggressions, or may be struggling with other issues such as loss or financial difficulties.
Meet the ACWPS Peer Support Team
The ACWPS inaugural Peer Support team is made up of five women who not only have various forms of experience supporting vulnerable people in both their personal and professional lives but have always been available to informally support colleagues when needed.
Loretta Sparks-Beals, Melanie Sasha Clarke and Danielle Elias all support teams across government working to address conflict and provide safe, equitable, inclusive and accessible workplaces. Loretta is an Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility consultant with the province’s Public Service Commission (PSC). Melanie is a Workplace Resolution Consultant with the PSC. Danielle is a Senior Advisor with the PSC’s Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility team.
Dana Bowden and Kristen Tynes work with vulnerable families and victims of crime with the Department of Justice. Dana is Director of Victim Services and Kristen is Executive Director of Maintenance Enforcement and Victim Services.
An Important Step to Creating Safe and Inclusive Workspaces
Mary shares that the women making up the new Peer Support team are wise, calm, strong, compassionate and empathetic. She believes they will make a huge difference to the women who take advantage of the program. She hopes it will be a game changer for their sisters and another important step towards a safe and inclusive workplace.
Thank-you to ACWPS Peer Support team member Kristen Tynes for contributing this article!
THE TEMA FOUNDATION DEVELOPS EVIDENCE-BASED AND INFORMED EDUCATIONAL CURRICULUM IN MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS.
We can work with you to provide customized solutions that fit your unique needs. Interested in partnering on a custom mental health curriculum? Get in touch with a Tema Curriculum Specialist right away and get started.