EP272 Nevra Ozoren Sener | Program Coordinator Canadian Mental Health Association, NL

Send us Fan MailIn this inspiring episode of #GaleForceWins, we sit down with Nevra Sener, an educator, counselor, and passionate advocate for newcomer mental health. Originally from Istanbul, Turkey, Nevra shares her remarkable journey from growing up in a multicultural family to settling in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. After completing her Master of Education at Memorial University, Nevra found her calling supporting newcomers through her work with the Association for New Canadians and now with the Canadian Mental Health Association.Nevra opens up about the emotional and cultural challenges of immigration, the importance of mental health education, and how she blends her counseling background with project management to lead impactful initiatives like Steering Success. She offers personal insights into Turkish culture, collectivism, and how different communities approach mental health. Most powerfully, she encourages newcomers not to feel alone—and reminds us that self-care is not selfish, but essential.This conversation is a heartfelt celebration of resilience, belonging, and what it means to build a new life while giving back to the community. Whether you're a newcomer, an employer, or simply someone who values compassion and cultural understanding, this is a must-watch.Timestamps:0:00 – Welcome and introduction to Nevra Sener0:42 – Nevra's move from Turkey to St. John’s1:01 – Growing up in Istanbul and cultural background1:20 – The influence of Nevra’s immigrant roots2:04 – Psychological insights from cultural upbringing2:41 – Minimalism vs. collectivist habits3:26 – Nevra's childhood interests and communication skills4:08 – The importance of interpersonal communication5:10 – Educational influences and her sister as a role model5:51 – Meaning of her and her sister's names6:53 – Nevra’s academic journey and love for school7:54 – Working as a school counselor in Istanbul9:00 – Helping students manage anxiety and choose careers9:48 – How Nevra met her husband10:30 – Marriage and family roles in Turkish culture11:18 – Deciding to move to Canada during COVID-1912:50 – Applying to universities and choosing Memorial14:09 – First impressions of Newfoundland15:00 – Community support and sense of belonging15:45 – Her husband’s transition and love of cooking17:30 – Nevra’s work post-graduation with ANC and CMHA21:00 – Newcomer challenges: employment and housing22:30 – Current project: Steering Success for mental health25:00 – Importance of employers in newcomer integration28:30 – Cultural differences in discussing mental health31:00 – Mental health evolution in Turkey33:00 – Collectivist vs. individualist approach to mental health35:45 – Nevra’s future hopes professionally and personally37:30 – Describing Newfoundland to her family in Turkey39:00 – What makes Newfoundland’s culture unique40:00 – Nevra’s advice to newcomers: you're not alone41:30 – Closing reflections and appreciationGale Force Wins started out simply as an inspirational podcast releasing episodes wherever you get your podcasts every Tuesday evening. We continue to do that every Tuesday but have expanded into custom content for clients. We also have perfected a conference and trade show offering where you can receive over 20 videos edited and posted to social media at the same time the event is unfolding.For businesses and organizations we also create digital content quickly and efficiently.Visit our services page here:https://galeforcewins.com/servicesTo message Gerry visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerrycarew/To message Allan visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allanadale/