Khalil Dorival went from suffering in silence with suicidal thoughts, anxiety and loneliness to becoming a community leader and advocate for mental wellness. Today, he and his wife Temi are the co-founders of Khalil Dorival Enterprise (KDE), an organization dedicated to addressing the social and economic barriers encountered by youth, offering mental health and wellness workshops since its 2020 launch. Dorival has also published a book, Change Starts in the Mind and is a motivational speaker focusing on helping people master their mental, physical and emotional wellbeing.
“My goal is to help young people reduce anxiety and stress so they can prevent the feeling of depression through mental wellness workshops,” says Dorival, now an influential community leader who has benefited from a federally funded program called Rise, offered by Sheridan’s entrepreneurial hub, EDGE, to scale his organization. “Overcoming my struggles with mental health has not only inspired me to help others but has also shaped my perspective on resilience and purpose. I grew up in an environment where mental health was often stigmatized. These conversations were taboo in our homes; being racialized from a marginalized community while growing up in an impoverished neighbourhood played a huge part in my passion for advocacy.”
Dorival also works as a crisis worker with Toronto Community Crisis Service, where he responds to mental health crisis calls and conducts wellness checks. The service is often labelled the city’s fourth emergency service — after police, paramedics and firefighters. To amplify his reach and impact, Dorival has partnered with organizations such as the Toronto Police Service, Toronto Community Housing, the City of Toronto, Woodgreen, and the Toronto District School Board, where he conducts student workshops.
“Being a community leader has given me a deeper drive to create a supportive world for the next generation, ensuring they have the resources to thrive emotionally and mentally. Balancing my role as a crisis worker, entrepreneur and family man teaches me every day the importance of community and connection. I am grateful for the journey and continually strive to make a positive difference in the lives of youth.”
Recently, Dorival received a Community Safety Award from Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow for his contributions in promoting a safer and more inclusive community, one of eight awards received for his community work. He landed a partnership with the Toronto District School Board as a vendor, offering greater collaboration opportunities with schools and educators supporting students in need.
Dorival has spent the past eight months in Rise, working with a coach to strengthen his business. He said the coaching he received allowed him to accelerate KDE with “a quantum leap of success.” This includes a big jump in speaking engagements, up to 24 in the last year, allowing Dorival’s message of mental wellness to reach more youth.
“I truly believe a mentor is someone who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way,” says Dorival. “KDE experienced significant growth during my time in the Rise program. I would say we saw an increase in our engagement and outreach by approximately 50 per cent. The mentorship and coaching were invaluable in refining our approach and expanding our initiatives.”
About Rise
Rise is an eight-month online program designed for social entrepreneurs to scale their impact-driven enterprises. Valued at $10,000, the program offers individualized coaching from seasoned entrepreneurs, peer circles, advisory services, and access Sheridan faculty and student talent.
