For many students, university can feel like a constant balancing act. Academics, social life, future uncertainty, and everything in between. While conversations around mental health have become more common, many still struggle in silence, unsure of where to turn, or how to begin opening up.
Unsinkable is a platform that helps Canadians tell their mental health stories, creating spaces where these stories have become a lifeline for others.
For Hailey Hechtman, Executive Director of Unsinkable, storytelling is where that process can begin. “I have worked in the mental health sector for my entire career,” Hechtman shares, reflecting on a journey that spans psychology, crisis line work, and leadership roles in mental health programming. Despite supporting others, she explains that it was easy to ignore her own struggles, particularly her experience with disordered eating and body image.
It was not until hearing someone else’s story on a podcast that things began to shift. “That was the moment I started to piece together what I had been going through,” said Hechtman. Hearing someone speak so openly became the starting point for her own healing journey. Years later, her story would become just as impactful to others.
“Sharing my story was a chance for me to see those moments of uncertainty and pain through the lens of resilience and courage,” Hechtman explains.
Unsinkable emphasizes that personal storytelling can also be a private process. One in which individuals are guided to make sense of their experiences in a safe and supportive space before deciding if, when, or how they want to share their story more widely. According to Unsinkable’s core mission, storytelling helps people “feel less alone and encourages recovery” by creating connections and reducing stigma. For students navigating stress, personal struggles, anxiety, or uncertainty, that sense of connection can be powerful.
Storytelling works because it reflects the issue. “Stories are what connect all of us,” said Hechtman, “they act as a mirror.” For students, this can mean recognizing their own struggles in someone else’s experience. “When you see someone else share their story… it reminds you that you are not the only one and that you too will get through this,” Hechtman added. This is especially important in university environments, where high expectations can make vulnerability feel risky. Hechtman suggests beginning small, engaging with stories that resonate with or even use them to start conversations with others.
Hechtman’s role at Unsinkable evolved from storyteller to Executive Director, describing those experiences as being deeply connected. “Being honest about who I am allows me to connect in deeper ways with our community,” she explains. Her leadership style challenges traditional expectations, showing that vulnerability and professionalism are not mutually exclusive. Instead, lived experience becomes a strength.
Founded in 2019 by Olympian Silken Laumann, Unsinkable is a national charitable organization focused on personal stories as a tool for recognition and healing. The organization believes that “healing starts with a personal story,” and that sharing those stories can create “a lifeline for others.” Through programs like one-on-one mentorship, group storytelling sessions, and youth peer support spaces, Unsinkable provides opportunities for people to explore their experiences in a safe and supportive way.
They also offer peer groups for individuals aged 16–26, creating spaces for students to have open conversations about mental health, identity, and well-being. What sets Unsinkable apart is its focus on lived experience. While many mental health services focus on treatment, Unsinkable complements these supports by creating space for reflection, connection, and community.
For students who may be struggling but hesitant to reach out, Hechtman’s advice is simple: start where you are. “Start by seeking out stories that help you feel seen,” she says. Because at the heart of Unsinkable’s work is a message that feels especially relevant on university campuses: “You, just as you are, can inspire hope in someone else.”
Students interested in Unsinkable can engage in a variety of ways. Whether that is attending events, joining peer groups, volunteering, or simply following along with stories online. There is no “right” way to start.
As Hechtman puts it, “Start as a receiver… and from there, if you feel ready, reach out.” Amongst all the assignments, classes and due dates, remember to take care of your mental health, Golden Hawks.
To learn more or get involved, visit: https://www.weareunsinkable.com/. Students can also connect with Unsinkable’s youth community on Instagram at @beunsinkable, where stories, resources, and opportunities to get involved are shared in an accessible and student-focused way.
Contributed Photo/Unsinkable
