Bilo Sabra

For Bilal (Bilo) Sabra, his career as a mental health nurse begins and ends with one core fascination: people. He is constantly in awe of their ability to struggle, overcome, and endure life’s most difficult moments—and still find space for love, art, and connection.

These reflections stretch back to his childhood, when he and his family left Beirut, Lebanon, eventually landing in Detroit before settling in the Greater Toronto Area after several moves along the way. The diversity of people and how differently they responded to hardship left a lasting impression. “The vast difference in people—how they acted and reacted to their circumstances—was captivating,” Bilo shares. “I understood that I wanted to work with people, and nursing afforded me that in a very unique way.”

While studying nursing, Bilo joined the McMaster Student Outreach program, working with unhoused individuals in Hamilton to provide food and help them connect to services. That experience, along with his clinical placements, deepened his interest in mental health and helped him build meaningful connections with those facing challenges.

After graduating, Bilo began his career with The Salvation Army in Hamilton, later moving to Windsor to work with the Program for Assertive Community Treatment. He then joined Joseph Brant Hospital (JBH) as part of the Early Psychosis Intervention program. It was during this time that the PHAST (Priortizing Health through Accute Stabilization and Transition) program was being developed—a unique, community-wide initiative that focuses on early, integrated mental health care. Bilo was encouraged to apply and has since led the team with passion and purpose. “Each role has been a privilege, and each has stretched my knowledge and comfort zone in a different way,” he says.

Of course, mental health work is not without its challenges. “Sometimes the biggest need isn’t clinical—it’s material,” he explains. “People are struggling to afford basic necessities like housing, food, and clothing. We do our best to connect them with support, but the reality is, those resources often fall short. These financial stresses can either contribute to or be a result of mental health challenges—but either way, we need to start by meeting people’s basic needs.”

Despite these obstacles, the rewards are profound. “For sure seeing people get back on their feet and find a new way forward after a difficult time—that’s the coolest thing you can see in this world. I also think the relationships we build amongst each other here are a special part of the work we do.”

Looking ahead, the upcoming redevelopment of JBH’s Mental Health Unit offers renewed hope and excitement. “Having an updated space with functional areas for group therapy and skill-building will create a more supportive and rehabilitative environment,” he says. “The move to a space with natural light has already made a huge difference in our day-to-day experience. Now, gaining more room and a more inviting atmosphere will reflect the level of care we strive to provide.”

The Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation is raising funds for its For All Minds Campaign, which will support the transformation and expansion of the Mental Health and Addictions unit. An early works project to prepare the new space is set for late spring/early summer 2025. For more information and to find out how you can support our For All Minds campaign, click here.

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