Al-Kareem Visram is ensuring his aquatics colleagues don’t just practice traditional first aid at the pool, but mental health first aid as well.
When you think of pool safety, mental health doesn’t usually come to mind – unless you are Al Kareem Visram. Al Kareem is a recreation aquatics programmer for two local pools. Already responsible for the physical safety and skills development of a wide range of swimmers, he wanted to make an even bigger “splash” in the community.
In 2012, Al Kareem became a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Instructor through the Mental Health Commission of Canada. He has since dedicated untold hours to training pool staff on recognizing and supporting people who are experiencing mental health and addiction challenges. It doesn’t end there, though. With the Ismaili Council of Canada, he volunteered as the National Team Lead to train, certify, and support MHFA instructors across the country, reaching 450 participants a year. A proud Muslim Canadian and the kind of aquatics professional we all want working at our local pool, Al Kareem strives to make his community and the country a safe, inclusive, and physically and mentally healthy space for all.
Source: 150 Leading Canadians for Mental Health | CAMH Difference Makers
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