Peer Support Centre Hand-Off: Randy’s Got a Dandy Passion
Meet Randy Liu: Peer Support Centre Head Manager
Meet Randy Liu, the new PSC Head Manager! Randy is filled with enthusiasm, and he holds so much passion for his role. This is truly not just a job for him; it is something so important to who he is.
Randy is a Health Sciences student going into his 4th and final year at Queen’s. “I am passionate about what I do. I really love the community aspect of Health Sciences.” He continues, “with Health sciences, there is that aspect of social science and policy…The PSC is kind of like on tangent with that.” He goes on to explain how he gets to learn about how he can be an effective community leader, and a public health leader. The Peer Support Centre is a place where he can share these passions and use them to make the Queen’s campus a better place for everyone.
Randy oversees the daily services of the Peer Support Centre, open 7 days a week, 10 hours a day! He oversees sub-services of the PSC such as BIPOC Talk, specifically tailored to BIPOC students, and Queers for Peers, a service designed for 2SLGBTQ+ Queen’s students. Randy works incredibly hard to make sure PSC is a safe and inclusive space, and he is also responsible for planning and organizing all the PSC’s initiatives and events! With the help of his team, he runs two events per month for each of those BIPOC Talk and Queers4Peers sub-services.
Randy is excited about the Halloween themed drag bingo night in October. “I don’t want to spoil too much…It’ll be like a little sneak peek.” He can’t say too much about it now, so make sure to stay tuned and follow the PSC’s Instagram! (@ peersupportcentre_ams)
When Randy isn’t in class or working at the PSC, you can find him on a walk or run in and around campus. “Recently, I’ve been really trying to get more into running.” He explains how there are different dimensions of health and well-being. “I think mental well-being is important, of course, but so is physical wellness. So is spiritual wellness, financial wellness, intellectual wellness.” He says that in his own life, he reflects upon what he can improve on. He feels that physical wellness is so important, which is how he has started to get into running.
But that’s not all! Randy has so many other hobbies. He is a musician, and he loves playing piano. He laughs as he looks back to when he was a kid. “I kind of hated it.” He chuckles. “I now honestly appreciate it so much and it really does stimulate creativity, it’s honestly so good for the soul.” He thinks that music in itself is a wonderful way to relieve stress. Whether it’s you making the music, or if even if you’re just listening to it on your way to class, to the gym, or to our beloved Common Ground Coffee House (CoGro)! Randy’s go-to order is a class sized coffee and a brownie! Maybe consider dropping by on your way to your next PSC visit!
Randy is very passionate about mental health, and peer support is an avenue where he can truly make a difference for the Queen’s student body. When we asked him what drove him to the Peer Support Centre, he explains that Queen’s has Student Wellness Services that provides psychologist, and as important as that is, there is a hierarchy there. Students might not feel comfortable opening up in some circumstances, especially if they feel that what they have to say is not necessary for that level of intervention.
“Sometimes, myself included, we just want to vent.” He Laughs. “Have someone to talk to, tell them about their day.” These things happen in life, and to book an appointment, and wait a week to see a psychologist, is tough. The process can be very daunting for students. “The PSC emphasizes the importance of having people just come in, chat with us. There’s nothing that you actually have to expect. It’s really just an open space where you can feel included and open.”
The PSC is supposed to be a comfortable space where students can truly be themselves, and that is something that really stood out to Randy. “That’s the beauty of the Peer Support Centre. I absolutely love that idea.”
Please join us in welcoming the wonderful Randy to the Alma Mater Society team!
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