Meet Alex, a first-year Health Sciences student at the University of Waterloo. Juggling the pressures of intense coursework and balancing extracurricular activities, Alex often finds themselves overwhelmed. A natural empath, they frequently reflect on the emotional challenges faced by fellow students, leading to moments of vulnerability where a simple “cry” encapsulates their feelings of stress and desire for connection. Alex dreams of using their experiences to eventually become a mental health advocate, helping others navigate the difficulties of university life.