Our Team
Kristin Legault-Donkers
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Kristin is a Master of Social Work (MSW) Candidate at the University of Windsor, where she hopes to gain the skills and experiences to work with and advocate for children's mental health. This spring, she graduated with an Honours degree in Psychology and Disability Studies at King's University College at Western University.
She intimately understands what it's like to live with mental illness, as she, herself, copes with bipolar disorder. She has authored four children's books on mental health with the goal of increasing mental health literacy among children and their families. She is a passionate advocate for mental health.
Kristin was recognized and nominated as a mental health champion locally and nationally in 2018. She was awarded both the London-Middlesex Mental Health Champion Award and the prestigious national Sharon Johnston Champion of Mental Health Award for Youth.
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She is also completing independent research on the benefits of bibliotherapy for mental health.
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Jai Ravipati
This spring, Jai graduated with his Honours B.Sc. in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience at Western University.
Like the rest of our team, he is passionate about mental health literacy for children. He believes that narratives have the power to change how we think, feel and behave. As such, he believes that books can be used as a therapeutic tool to help children with their social and emotional well-being.
Jai also has experience researching issues related to diversity and inclusion. He has worked alongside the city of London to develop a tool kit to reduce discrimination and prejudice in his Psychology 3895E course (Social Science in the Community).
Sirisha Ravipati
Sirisha is a third-year student at Western University, who is working towards an Honours Specialization in Biology.
As a young girl, her favourite pastime was reading and discussing books with her friends. She believes stories provide an escape, and a chance to meet new characters that one can relate to. She has recently gained a new appreciation for the use of books for therapeutic purposes. Using literature to navigate our own thoughts and emotions can be extremely helpful in preventing and addressing mental health concerns.
Sirisha assists in web designing for the Reading to Flourish website.
Here is a video about one of Reading to Flourish's founders, Kristin Legault-Donkers' mental health advocacy work in the London community.