Strategic Planning. Workplace Training. Individual Counselling
About Me
The Full Story
Jenn is an experienced Registered Social Worker and Accessibility Specialist. She holds a Master of Social Work and received an Award for Outstanding Graduate Work for her research on the mental health disclosure experiences of post-secondary students transitioning into their careers.Most of her professional experience has focused on navigating—and helping other marginalized individuals navigate—complex colonial systems, providing intersectional mental health and addictions counselling, and developing resources and programs to support the career development of persons with disabilities.
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Jenn's identity as a biracial, bicultural woman of colour living with ADHD, and as the daughter of a Chinese immigrant parent, informs her intersectional approach. In her experience, a person's intersecting identities (gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, etc.) interact to form the whole person.
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Years of working within employment, academic, community, and healthcare systems have given her a deep understanding of the impacts of colonialism. Colonization has caused tremendous harm to Indigenous families and communities, and it has been identified as a root cause of intergenerational trauma. If you are eligible for counselling through the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), Jenn is listed as a service provider.
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Jenn is also a parent to two adult daughters from the Gitxan Nation who experienced severe mental health challenges during their teenage years. With access to clinical support, they gained valuable tools they continue to use today. During that time, Jenn noticed a lack of caregiver resources and support and has since met other caregivers facing similar challenges. In response, Jenn's practice includes caregiver support to help ease the fear, fatigue, and trauma that can accompany supporting a loved one struggling with mental health.​​
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As an accessibility subject matter expert and specialist, Jenn supports individuals with disabilities, injuries, or physical and mental health conditions in exploring diverse ways of working and learning to optimize workplace performance, health, and well-being. This may include developing strategies, setting goals, planning for success, identifying functional impacts, and/or recommending accommodations. If you're working with HR on an Accessibility Plan, note that some employers may accept supporting documentation from a Registered Social Worker, in addition to recommendations from a doctor or specialist.
My Research
Organizations
Disclosure environment
Companies need to create safer spaces for disclosure to promote a positive work environment, job satisfaction, retention, and productivity.
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Strong accessibility governance
Companies need to include accessibility principles into their policy, procedures, mission statements, and governance structures.
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Process efficiency
Companies need to streamline their accessibility policies to minimize barriers for employees requesting accommodations and alleviate pressure on healthcare systems.
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Universal design
Accommodations can be simple, inexpensive, and effective by implementing universal design principles.
Individuals
Fear of disclosure
Research shows that people experience high levels of fear or stress when faced with a decision to disclose a disability or health condition to an employer or academic field supervisor.
Limited requests for accommodations
Due to stigma, employees are less likely to request the accommodations they need to set them up for employment success.
Social complexities
Employees with intersecting social identities find requesting accommodations even more difficult because they are often facing other kinds of discrimination on top of having a health condition.Varied working & l
Learning styles
Employees with different learning and working styles may need options that allow them to meet job expectations.
Reference
Mei, Jennifer, "Disclosing Mental Health: The Experience of Post Secondary Students Transitioning into a Career/Experiential Learning Environment" (2021). Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive). 2361. https://scholars.wlu.ca/etd/2361
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