Mallery Sylliboy is the Youth and Caregiver Engagement Coordinator, she shares the role with her colleague, Nicole Hankinson. She divides her time between Integrated Youth Services and the broader Mental Health and Addictions Program at the IWK.
Mallery is a Mi’kmaq woman from Eskasoni First Nation. She had always volunteered her time in her community from peer support, and numerous programs and events. It wasn’t until 2005, when she lost a brother through suicide, where her mission became to help not only her peers but anyone that needed it. Mental health issues are not a stranger to her, and she wants to encourage others that things do get better with time.
Mallery worked at Eskasoni Mental Health for 10 years, during this time her work in Eskasoni included crisis work and youth support work. She had the privilege of being part of the Access Open Minds team that offered walk-in mental health supports and services to the youth of Eskasoni. Access Open Minds was the precursor to Integrated Youth Services.
She changed careers and went into Capacity Development for First Nations, where she gained experience in proposal writing, needs assessments and strategic planning. In those 5 years of working with the five Cape Breton First Nations bands she felt as if something was still missing which led her back to the Mental Health field.
When Mallery is not working, she is home playing with her children. During her time off, you will find her out on adventures, boating around the Bras d’Or Lakes, camping or travelling with her family.
