Mariam Warsame

Give a brief bio about yourself/your background/your history.

I was born in Ottawa, Canada to two immigrant parents who fled the civil war in Somalia. Growing up, my family was nomadic, and we moved frequently. We lived in Toronto, ON for a while, then in Surrey, BC, before finally settling in Winnipeg, MB during my middle school years.

From a young age, I knew that I wanted to work in a helping field. After discovering psychiatric nursing, I quickly realized that this career was made for me. Given my personal background and understanding of the mental health challenges faced by Somali refugees and displaced populations, I believe it is vital to provide culturally competent support to these communities. Somalia has one of the highest rates of mental and psychological disorders in the world, largely due to the prolonged conflict in the region. As someone from a Somali background, I understand how important it is for refugees and displaced populations to get culturally competent care from people that are representative of their populations.

My goal is to use my expertise in psychiatric nursing to help individuals living with mental illness recover from the trauma of war and culture shock.

What education have you taken?

In 2010, I obtained my high school diploma from Kildonan East Collegiate. Currently, I am enrolled in the Psychiatric Nursing program at the Winnipeg campus of Brandon University, where I am in my fourth and final year of study. I aspire to graduate this May with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychiatric Nursing.

How did you become interested in your field/area of study?

I became interested in psychiatric nursing through a combination of personal experiences and exposure to the field. Growing up, I witnessed the effects of the civil war in Somalia on my family and community. This sparked a curiosity in me about mental health and the ways that trauma and stress can impact individuals and communities.

As I got older, I started exploring different career paths in the helping professions, including psychology and social work. But it wasn’t until I was introduced to psychiatric nursing that I found my true calling. I was drawn to the field’s focus on the biological, psychological, and social factors that contribute to mental health, as well as its emphasis on providing compassionate and evidence-based care.

Furthermore, I believe that psychiatric nursing is uniquely positioned to address the mental health needs of refugees and displaced populations. With my personal background and understanding of the challenges faced by these communities, I feel that I can make a significant contribution to the field and help those in need.

What accomplishments are you most proud of?

 I am proud to have achieved significant academic progress, having previously not taken school seriously and having relied on minimal effort. Through consistent effort and dedication, I was able to transition from a subpar student to being recognized on the honour roll. This accomplishment attests to my goal-oriented mindset and my unwavering determination to achieve my goals, as well as highlighting the importance of having a clear direction and purpose to maintain focus and drive.

I take pride in my involvement as a Winnipeg representative on the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee (EDI), contributing to the important work being accomplished to promote inclusivity and equity for all students within the Faculty of Health Studies at Brandon University. Through this role, I have been able to be a part of the work that prioritizes creating a safe space for students, particularly BIPOC individuals who may face adversity and feel isolated at times. My participation in the committee has provided me with valuable insight into the importance of advocating for and supporting marginalized students.

I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the outstanding efforts being made to create a safer and more welcoming environment for students. I am eager to witness the ongoing advancement of the Faculty of Health Studies’ Anti-Racism action plan to ensure that each student feels respected, heard, and valued.

Where do you see yourself in the future? What do you hope to undertake or accomplish once you leave BU?

In the future, I see myself gaining valuable experience as a psychiatric nurse and exploring new opportunities beyond my comfort zone. I have a keen interest in working in rural areas and wish to pursue travel nursing in the future. Along with my professional growth, I intend to continue my education and explore post graduate programs that will allow me to investigate mental health strategies for refugees and displaced people. I believe this will enable me to develop my skills and knowledge to provide better care to those in need and contribute to the healthcare field positively.

What is your philosophy in life?

My philosophy in life is that “no act of kindness is ever wasted, no matter how small.” This reminds me that even the most minor acts of kindness, such as a kind word or gesture to someone in need, can have a significant impact on their day or even their life. Ultimately, my philosophy is centred around believing that we all can make a difference.

In one sentence, how will you #EmbraceEquity?

I will #EmbraceEquity by actively seeking opportunities to learn from individuals with diverse cultural backgrounds and life experiences. 

Nominator’s Comments:

Mariam has been a member of the Faculty of Health Studies (FHS) Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion committee since January 2022. Mariam works closely with faculty members and other students to adapt action items from the FHS Anti-Racism action plan to prioritize current issues and concerns experienced by FHS students. Mariam advocates for a more equitable and inclusive environment for all students in the FHS by providing a safe space for students to voice their concerns and by offering guidance and resources to students if they encounter discriminatory treatment from faculty or peers. Mariam also raises issues and concerns voice by students (always with consent and while maintaining confidentiality) at EDI committee meetings to develop solutions, promote awareness and address the concerns. Mariam contributed to the research proposal “Informing Policy Creation to Support BIPoC Students in Nursing and Psychiatric Nursing Programs” by working in collaboration with faculty members on the EDI committee during the literature review and proposal writing stage. The proposal was recently approved for a research grant. Mariam also volunteers at Thrive, a community support center that offers a wide variety of holistic resources to people at all stages of life. At Thrive, Mariam actively participates in safety meetings which provide a platform for community members to discuss issues, recognize achievements, express concerns, and foster relationships. Thrive also organizes monthly safety walks, provides free food to those in need, and encourages community members to join in their efforts.