Mary’s Journey Back to the Classroom and Forward to a Career in Mental Health

When Mary Yang returned to school in her late 30s, she did it with purpose – unlike her first time in university in her late teens, which felt more like an obligation.

“When you go to university for the first time, that’s just what you’re supposed to do. But this time, it was different,” says Mary,

Now halfway through the Certificate in Mental Health and Addictions at The Chang School, Mary is approaching her education with a sense of renewed clarity and desire to support mental health needs of ethnocultural communities. This drive to pursue a career in mental health comes from a personal place – Mary herself has struggled with her own mental health since her teens, which at times affected her academically.

That’s one of the reasons why winning this year’s Lloyd and Daphne Chin-Loy Award in Mental Health and Addictions – her first academic award ever – has meant so much to her. Beyond being recognized for her hard work, Mary says winning the award marks a turning point in her battle with imposter syndrome. Mary accepted her award at the Leaders in Learning Awards Event held at The Chang School last month.

I’ve never received an academic award before,” says Mary. “People tell me I’m doing well, but I didn’t really believe it. This felt like a message that I’m on the right path.

Outside of The Chang School, Mary’s pursuit of a career in mental health has come to fruition with her first formal role in the Assertive Community Treatment Team at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto.

To understand how she arrived here, we need to start with what first compelled her to return to school.

Re-entering education – intentionally this time

Returning to school was not a straightforward decision. After completing her undergraduate degree, Mary spent many years unsure whether she could return to formal education at all.

“It had been a long time since I finished my undergrad,” she said. “I didn’t know if I could do school again. Should I go back and do graduate studies? A new bachelor’s degree? I just wasn’t sure.” Instead of committing to a full-time program, she chose the Certificate in Mental Health and Addictions as a manageable starting point. The certificate was perfect for Mary to fit into her busy schedule, allowing her to take as many or as few classes as she wanted without having to dedicate all of her time to learning.

Now working in the field and managing her own mental health, the flexibility of the certificate offered her space to progress at her own pace – even while juggling work, life, and healing. “I can take courses according to my schedule and when it's right for me,” she said. “That really helped.”

Unlike her earlier academic years, this time she approached learning with curiosity and commitment. “Being in my late 30s and pursuing education again, I’m a lot more attentive and personally interested in the material,” she said. “I’m learning because I want to.”

Learning that reconnects rather than overwhelms`

Mary enrolled in courses that broadened her understanding and renewed her interest in the subject matter. Courses like Psychology of Addictions, and Psychology of Human Sexuality, offered new ways of thinking and engaging.

She also found value in returning to foundational concepts. “It was really nice coming back to introductory psychology courses,” she said. “This time, I’m genuinely interested in understanding the content, not just passing the course.”

That shift in intention – learning with purpose, not just performance – marks a profound change. And it’s part of why her experience this time around has been so meaningful.

Imposter syndrome meets recognition

Receiving the Chin-Loy Award marked a breakthrough moment in Mary’s educational journey – and that was the validation she needed. “I was really surprised,” she said. “I struggled with academics previously because of my mental health issues. So it was meaningful, but also shocking.”

After receiving the news, she researched Lloyd and Daphne Chin-Loy and found herself deeply moved by their story of perseverance and contribution to the community. “That made it even more meaningful and special,” she added.

The recognition helped disrupt her internal narrative of self-doubt and affirmed her belief that she belongs in the mental health field. It told her she was not only capable but already making an impact.

From student to practitioner

In her new role at Mount Sinai, she didn’t expect her academic learnings to apply directly, but was surprised to find them useful — even during her interview.

“There was something I remembered from school that I mentioned during the interview,” she recalled. “Hopefully that helped.” Now working with clients, she finds herself drawing from her coursework in real-world situations far more often than expected.

“I don’t think I’ve ever thought of what I study in school to be directly applicable in my work, but I’ve actually been able to apply it in a practical way.”

Advocacy grounded in lived experience

Mary’s passion is deeply rooted in her personal experience. Having struggled with her own mental health, she understands how challenging the journey can be – especially for individuals from Asian backgrounds where stigma and access barriers often exist.

“I have a passion and commitment towards Asian mental health care,” she said. “There’s such a big need in the community, and I feel like I could be of help.”

Her long-term goal is to support culturally informed care through both practice and advocacy. The award and her work experience have helped build confidence in her ability to contribute meaningfully to this mission.

A message for prospective learners

Mary encourages prospective learners – especially those who may be unsure about returning to studies – to consider starting small.

“If you're not sure whether you can do school again, the certificate is a perfect place to start,” she said. “It was a really good refresher and a good way to ease back into education without feeling overwhelmed.”

The recognition she received has given her momentum to complete the certificate and continue her journey in mental health.

“If you persevere, good things can happen,” she reflected. “It’s been a long time coming to get here.”

Ready to begin your own path into a career in mental health?

Mary’s story is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to return to education – and that purpose-driven learning can transform both personal and professional journeys.