“My Dwelling Place”: Faith & Mental Health in Action

A Safe Space to Share Testimonies at Corpus Christi College on UBC Campus.

“Through my INSPIRE Leadership legacy project, I have learned that every single person has a different story that can be shared, and that it’s important to give a voice to the people who feel they are voiceless.”

— Rebecca Bond

There’s a quiet crisis happening in churches and youth groups across the world.

Young Christians—committed, passionate, and full of questions—are silently wrestling with anxiety, depression, and the pressure to appear “spiritually strong.” In many communities, conversations about mental health are still met with discomfort, stigma, or misunderstanding, especially when faith is involved. The result? Too many young people suffer in silence, believing their struggles isolate them from God or their peers.

This is the reality that Corpus Christi College student Rebecca Bond set out to confront through her powerful Legacy Project, “My Dwelling Place”. Rooted in her deep passion for both faith and mental health, “My Dwelling Place” became more than a school assignment—it became a mission.

A Safe Space for Stories

Through “My Dwelling Place”, Rebecca  has created a blog site and Instagram where Christian youth can safely share their mental health journeys and faith experiences without fear of judgment. Rebecca posts anonymous testimonials weekly, using posts called “Testimony Tuesdays,” to help people feel less alone. Her project reminds participants that vulnerability is not a weakness, but an act of strength and faith.

One participant shared, “It felt like someone finally saw me—not just the faith I show on Sundays, but the parts I usually hide.” These moments became the heartbeat of Rebecca’s project: showing others that their struggle has a place in the church, and that healing begins in community.

Cultivating Leadership Through Faith and Formation

Rebecca’s success didn’t happen in isolation. At the heart of “My Dwelling Place” is the unique learning environment of Corpus Christi College, where students are not only taught to lead, but also challenged to lead with purpose.

Through the Leadership class led by Prof. Gabriel Pillay, Rebecca and her peers were invited into a transformative process: create a Legacy Project that doesn’t just complete a course—but makes a lasting impact.

“Corpus has helped me understand my leadership strengths and weaknesses, which has helped me apply myself better in various leadership circumstances,” Rebecca says. “With my legacy project, I’ve helped people feel comfortable sharing their personal faith and mental health journeys.”

Prof. Pillay’s intentional approach to leadership education—grounded in real-world service and reflection—helps students like Rebecca discover that leadership is not about authority, but about service. 

A Night to Remember

The culmination of Rebecca’s project came to life during the INSPIRE Leadership Gala—a powerful evening of storytelling, reflection, and vision for the future. “It felt like everything I had worked on had led to that moment,” she recalls. She didn’t just present a project. She shared a movement—one grounded in love, faith, and the belief that no one should have to journey alone.

Leaving a Mark, Inviting Others In

“My Dwelling Place” stands as a testament to what’s possible when students are empowered by their college, their community, and the immense support within them. Prof. Pillay’s Legacy Project initiative in LDR 100 and 101 isn’t just about helping students make change—it’s about launching purpose-driven leaders into the world, with two questions guiding them: “If not you, who?” and “If not now, when?” 

For Rebecca, that purpose is clear: to create sacred spaces where faith and mental health can exist together without shame. For future Corpus students, her journey is an invitation: What are you passionate about? What story will you help others tell?

April 29 was a night filled with pride, joy, and inspiration, celebrating the remarkable students of the INSPIRE Leadership Class of 2025! This was the largest graduating class and also the 12th anniversary of this award-winning co-curricular program at Corpus Christi College at UBC. Read more: https://corpuschristi.ca/news/inspire-leadership-2025/

The INSPIRE Leadership Program exemplifies our mission, equipping students with the skills and values to address real-world challenges through innovative projects that support the environment, community, and education. Over 25 students and 6 teams presented their projects that tackled issues ranging from support for those less fortunate, mental health resources, student and community engagement, scholarships,  etc. An essential element of the program is the principle of FAIL Forward presentation—encouraging students to view setbacks as learning opportunities and stepping stones toward impactful leadership.

Shaping a Brighter Future 

At Corpus Christi College, we believe in the power of education, leadership, and service to create a more equitable and sustainable future. Through the INSPIRE Leadership Program, students gain the tools and experience necessary to make a lasting impact on their communities, both locally and globally. 

Join us in shaping the future. Together, we can make a difference. 

Contact Gabriel Pillay, Dean of Students, Executive Director of Strategic Affairs and Founder of the INSPIRE Leadership Certificate Program.

Learn more about the program here.

You can contact Rebecca by email, visit the blog here and Instagram feed here.

Student Juliana writes about student experience at Corpus Christi-St. Mark’s College at UBC.