October 15, 2025Articles Samarah Maqbool: Mental Health Advocacy and the Making of a Modern Leader What does leadership look like today? Increasingly, it defies traditional expectations – and Samarah Maqbool is someone who is helping redefine the image. A recent university graduate, daughter of immigrant parents and passionate mental health advocate, Maqbool embodies a new kind of leadership – one grounded in purpose, empathy and action. She’s opening doors for others, speaking out on the issues that matter and creating meaningful change in her community.Maqbool recently completed her fourth year at McMaster University, graduating from the Biomedical Discovery and Commercialization program. Alongside her studies, she has volunteered as a Network Representative with Jack.org, Canada’s largest network of young people supporting young people. It offers youth a space to safely learn about mental health, support their peers, seek professional support and advocate for a future where youth can thrive in mental wellness. Through her leadership positions and speaking engagements, she has reached over 10,000 youth nationwide. Her dedication – including more than 3,000 hours of community service – has earned recognition from the City of Mississauga, McMaster University, and most recently, Ascend Canada’s Student of the Year Award. A mental health advocate, by experience Maqbool’s mental health journey began in high school – a time of acute academic pressure, social expectations and looming university applications. Like many of her peers, she grew up in an environment where mental health wasn’t openly discussed. “We’re often told to ignore our feelings until we become normal again,’” she explains.By Grade 11, the weight became too much. She started withdrawing from activities she once loved but didn’t know how to express what she was feeling. A student-led mental health awareness club gave her the tools to open up to her parents.That experience was a turning point – one that sparked a deep commitment to mental health advocacy. “I believed if I had that experience, I wouldn’t be the only one having these struggles,” she explains. She was therefore compelled to pursue ways to help others – and once she graduated high school, she began volunteering with Jack.org. “With the Jack Talk Speaker Program, I could share my message with other young people in schools and communities. It gave me the chance to deliver that message as a young person to other young people.” Join as a member Balancing ambition with self-care Maqbool’s university experience was a masterclass in balance. She juggled full-time studies, two part-time jobs and a packed volunteer schedule – all while trying to stay grounded in her values. “It was definitely a struggle at first,” she admits, “but I needed to work, and I wanted to give back.”Organization was key. As a visual learner, Maqbool leaned on tools like Google Calendar to schedule not just work and classes, but rest and connection, too. “It helped me make space for things that bring me joy – working out, spending time with friends.” She juggled full-time studies, two part-time jobs and a packed volunteer schedule – balancing ambition with self-care and demonstrating remarkable student leadership.She also learned to say no. “There’s this fear that if you don’t say yes to everything, you’ll miss out. But saying yes to too much can lead to burnout.” She shares a quote that resonates deeply: “You can’t fill other people’s buckets if your own is empty.” Leadership rooted in identity Maqbool’s heritage and faith have profoundly influenced her leadership style. As a Muslim and a first-generation Pakistani-Canadian, her values are shaped by a strong emphasis on education, community and service. “In our community, there’s a lot of reliance on others – we’re encouraged to support and seek support,” she says.The Quran’s emphasis on seeking and sharing knowledge also informs her work. “As I pursue a STEM degree, I’m always asking questions – whether physical or spiritual. That questioning has shaped how I approach leadership in mental health advocacy.” Pushing for inclusive mental health resources Through her advocacy, Maqbool has become a strong voice for making mental health resources more inclusive. “A lot of resources exist, but are young people actually being considered in their design?” she asks. At university, she often found the supports didn’t reflect her needs or background. “That’s when I realized how critical it is to consult youth – especially those from underrepresented communities.”In her advisory role at Jack.org, she works to ensure that Indigenous youth, racialized students and others from marginalized backgrounds are part of the conversation. “Real change comes from asking the right questions – and not giving up when the answers don’t come right away.” Join us at our events Persistence, curiosity and action Maqbool’s leadership journey has already led her to McMaster’s medical school – another step toward her goal of serving others. But it didn’t come easy. “It took persistence to study for the admissions test, maintain my grades, and prepare for interviews,” she says. That same persistence – of asking questions, following up and pushing for change – is something she urges other young people to cultivate.She knows from experience that speaking up isn’t always easy, especially when you’re new to the room. “For young women, especially those from marginalized backgrounds, asking questions can be intimidating,” she says. “But there’s no such thing as a silly question. Your curiosity shows others that you’re engaged and passionate.”Maqbool emphasizes that leadership isn’t reserved for those with decades of experience. “In these big decision-making rooms, you may feel others have a lot more expertise and experience than you do. But you do hold expertise – whether that’s as a student, as a young person, as someone with lived experience of mental health or as someone from a marginalized background. These are valuable insights that you can bring to the table. There is importance in the work that you’re doing and by bringing that to the front for others, you are able to uplift voices and make true change.” Representation and the power of mentorship Representation among pan-Asian leaders has also played a key role in Maqbool’s journey. Seeing a fellow hijabi public speaker helped her envision herself in that role and encouraged her to reach out and form a mentoring relationship.She’s carried that mindset forward, advocating for those whose voices are often left out of leadership spaces. “As a settler on Indigenous land, I know I hold certain privileges. I try to use that awareness to amplify others when they’re not at the table.”Her part-time job supervisors were also instrumental. “They were so flexible and accommodating and supportive of me being a student and working.” They didn’t let the power dynamic get in the way – they saw her potential and wanted to foster a relationship.One of her supervisors even helped her speak at a conference after Maqbool mentioned it briefly. “I am really grateful to my part-time supervisors for that mentorship because it led me to develop confidence nurture my speaking skills.” A new generation of leaders Samarah Maqbool’s story is a powerful reminder that leadership doesn’t have an age – or a uniform. It’s about empathy, service and the courage to ask difficult questions. Maqbool is proof that young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow – they’re already leading today.Ascend Canada is a proud supporter of emerging leaders and a trusted resource for pan-Asian professionals at every stage of their career journey – from student to senior executive. Read more FacebookTweetPinLinkedIn
