Hosted by Healthy Campus Alberta and Mount Royal University
May 7, 2025 / 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Join HCA and MRU for an inside look at the creation and first year of the After Hours Peer Support Centre – an innovative response to gaps in mental health support during evenings and weekends. MRU’s After Hours Peer Support Coordinators Julia and Sarah and Peer Supporter Spencer will walk through the inspiration behind the idea, how they brought it to life, lessons from their first year, and what it means to students who’ve both used and staffed the space. Hear firsthand how collaboration, care, and courage built a new kind of support on campus.
Speakers
Julia Nicholls (she/her)
After Hours Peer Support Program Coordinator
Julia is a dedicated Registered Social Worker (she/her) with a Master of Social Work in Leadership in Human Services from the University of Calgary. Her journey began at Mount Royal University, where she earned a Social Work diploma before completing a Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Calgary. Over the years, she developed a diverse background, leading and building high-performing teams, managing programs and projects, and providing specialized supervision in team leadership and social work practice. Her experience spans areas such as poverty reduction, financial empowerment, and crisis intervention.
As one of the Program Coordinators of the After Hours Peer Support Centre at Mount Royal University, Julia strives to create a supportive and inclusive environment for all students. Her practice is rooted in transformational and servant leadership, with a focus on coaching, capacity-building, and collaboration. She values humor, respect, education, community, and wellness, and is passionate about driving innovation within the social work field.
Julia’s ultimate goal is to elevate the social work profession and improve the quality of life for both current and aspiring social workers by fostering empowerment and championing systemic change.
Sarah Dubreuil Karpa (she/her)
After Hours Peer Support Program Coordinator
Born and raised in Calgary, Sarah has always drawn from her diverse background and wide-ranging interests to guide her work in supporting individuals and communities. With Master’s degrees in both Education and Social Work, she brings an interdisciplinary approach to everything she does. Sarah combines expressive arts, outdoor experiences, and experiential learning to offer a holistic perspective when helping others navigate their journeys.
At present, Sarah serves as the Coordinator of the MRU After Hours Peer Support Centre, where she continues her work helping students navigate personal growth through both practicum and volunteer experiences within the program. She is passionate about fostering a supportive, inclusive environment where individuals can thrive and find a strong sense of community and belonging.
Over the past 15 years, Sarah has had the privilege of supporting clients across the lifespan, from early childhood to adulthood, in facing challenges like mental health concerns, addiction, domestic abuse, homelessness, grief and loss, identity (re)discovery, and crisis support. For the last 9.5 years, she has been supporting youth aged 15-20 in an educational setting. Additionally, she runs a private practice in Calgary’s Beltline, where she applies her clinical skills in a more personalized, one-on-one environment.
Outside of work, Sarah is a mom of two, who keeps her on my toes every day, and is an avid pug lover. When not spending time with my family, she loves expressing herself through art and poetry and enjoys outdoor activities like whitewater rafting and rock climbing. When life slows down a bit, she plans to further my formal education in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, driven by my passion
Spencer Matthews
After Hours Peer Supporter
I’m a fourth-year Psychology major at Mount Royal University with a deep passion for helping others grow. I’ve received training through the After-Hours Peer Support Program, earning certifications including Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) and Distress Centre Calgary’s Crisis Training.
My commitment to mental health advocacy extends beyond training. I’ve volunteered as a Peer-2-Peer Mental Health Educator to help raise awareness of mental health trends on MRU’s campus, and I’ve contributed to research examining the prevalence rates of psychological challenges among first responders, a realm of research relatively underexplored.
As a result of his education and experience, Spencer aims to help others on their way towards self-actualization, primarily by conflict resolution. He aims to study for a Master’s in Counselling, to further develop his skills and give back to my community. He is strong in his belief in true inclusivity and wishes to work with a generalist population, namely those who have not had a chance to be heard. His ultimate aim is to eventually challenge preconceived thought in Psychology and the broader Humanities.
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