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The 17th Annual Public Health Days (JASP) 14/06/2013

November 25-27, 2013, Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth hotel, 900 René-Levesque Boulevard West, Montréal (Quebec)

This year’s theme will be “Emprunter des vois convergentes” (Taking convergent paths). We are currently accepting abstract submissions for anyone interested in presenting a research project, public health intervention or evaluation, or knowledge transfer activity. The submission deadline is September 6, 2013.

4th Annual Integrative Medicine for Mental Health Conference 14/06/2013

September 20-22, 2013, The Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois (United States)

This three-day international conference will explore the field of integrative medicine in the treatment of mental health, autism, and related disorders. The current trial-and-error, poly-pharmacy approach to the treatment of psychiatric disorders may not work for everyone. Research studies have revealed that many disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, OCD, eating disorders, and autism spectrum disorders often have dietary and biological causes which contribute to symptoms. Patients have better outcomes when these causes are successfully addressed and treated through a combination of specialized testing and nutritional therapies, even in combination with traditional approaches.

Call for Expressions of Interest: Communities of Interest focused on child and youth mental health and addictions 12/06/2013

Evidence Exchange Network, in partnership with the Ontario Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health, is seeking Expressions of Interest from child and youth mental health and addictions stakeholders in Ontario to develop or enhance Communities of Interest (CoIs) focused on topics specifically related to mental health and addictions in children and youth (0-18 years of age). Together, we will support successful applicant groups by providing human and technological resources, and seed funding of up to $4,500 per CoI for activities and initiatives.

To learn more about this exciting opportunity, please read the Call for Expressions of Interest overview and application form. The deadline to submit applications is 5pm on Friday, July 5, 2013.

“Dietitians and Community Mental Health” project 10/06/2013

The goal of the project is to develop a nutrition and mental health research agenda that focuses on policy and practice mechanisms in view of increasing access to and quality of dietetic services in community mental health settings. The collaborative process will include mental health service providers, dietitians and dietetic educators, policymakers, and people with lived experience of mental illness. Incorporating the voices of stakeholders will help identify areas where investments in research can most improve the community mental health system.

Not Myself Today 10/06/2013

The Not Myself Today was created to proactively deal with the issue of mental health in Canada. This is especially critical at work, where so many of us spend so many hours a day. As an employer or an employee, you can help drive much-needed change starting now.

Progress report on their “Action Plan for Mental Health 2011-2018” 10/06/2013

The government of New Brunswick recently released a progress report on their “Action Plan for Mental Health 2011-2018” The progress report describes measures implemented during the first two years of the action plan.

The Youth Voice  10/06/2013

June 11, 2013, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. (EDT)

Join blogger Arthur Gallant for a live chat on how to involve the youth voice in mental health and addictions initiatives. The chat will take place on EENet Connect, under “Chat Events.” Arthur Gallant is co‐chairman of the Service User Expert Panel and a member of the Provincial Collaborative Advisory Group; both bodies advise the Systems Improvement through Service Collaboratives (SISC) initiative.

World Hearing Voices Congress 10/06/2013

November 20-22, 2013, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Melbourne (Australia)

Traditionally held in Europe, this extraordinary conference brings together the world’s leading experts on hearing voices and recovery. Unlike any other event in mental health, this congress is filled with hope, innovative thinking and collaboration. It is consumer-led, but is developed by a working group that also includes members from all mental health disciplines, practice settings, caregivers and families, and also takes the latest research as well as multicultural and indigenous perspectives into account. This event is intended for voice hearers, consumers, service users, clinicians, community workers, carers and family, researchers and students, who will experience three days of new ideas, collaborative conversations, innovative research and practice, and stories of hope and creativity.

Conservation Ontario launches Healthy Hikes Challenge 10/06/2013

The goal of Healthy Hikes is to get Ontarians to visit and become active in Ontario’s Conservation Areas and to use this experience to increase their understanding about the many connections between health and the environment. Not only is hiking a great way to stay physically fit, but recent research also points to the mental health benefits of exposure to natural settings or “green spaces.”

2013 World Mental Health Congress of the World Federation for Mental Health 10/06/2013

August 25-28, 2013, Panamericano Buenos Aires Hotel, Buenos Aires (Argentina)

2013 World Mental Health Congress is an opportunity for all stakeholders to identify and discuss significant mental health issues and also to stimulate the government as well as non-governmental organizations to increase the effectiveness of their mental health programmes. Mental health is an important health issue everywhere and with the World Health Organization issuing a Global Mental Health Action Plan from 2013 to 2020, now is the time to work together to succeed.

OIIQ continuous training 04/06/2013

Cognitive behavioural therapy interventions

The purpose of this two-day training is to improve intervention skills according to the principles of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

Day 1
You will have the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the main aspects of CBT (origin, principles and intervention philosophy) and to understand the structure and application of treatment. Through role-playing, you will practice techniques such as cognitive dissonance, Socratic questioning, the search for alternatives and belief modification.

Day 2
The focus will be on the application of CBT in individual situations and problem solving in complex care, including role-playing. You will also learn to assess the effect of interventions using specific grids such as the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), the Revised Beliefs About Voices Questionnaire (BAVQ-R) for auditory hallucinations, and the Maudsley Assessment of Delusions Schedule (MADS). In short, the theoretical content, role-playing and supervision will help you better understand the theoretical basis and the application of interventions arising from CBT among different clients who present with a mental disorder.

OIIQ 2013 Florence Awards 04/06/2013

The Florence awards highlight the outstanding contribution of nurses who, through their commitment, actions and quality of their achievements, have distinguished themselves in one or more of the following categories: community engagement, excellence of care, leadership, health promotion, disease prevention, nursing research, international outreach and emerging professionals. Exceptionally this year, there will be no recipient of the Florence award in the health promotion category.

Claire Page has been named the winner of the OIIQ’s leadership category.

International Academy for Suicide Research (IASR) – World Congress on Suicide 31/05/2013

June 10-13, 2013, Hyatt Regency, 1255 Jeanne-Mance Street, Montréal (Québec)

The 2013 IASR World Congress is the first of its kind. It is the first meeting of the International Academy for Suicide Research (IASR), organized by the Quebec Suicide Research Network (RQRS), in partnership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), and in collaboration with the Association québécoise de prévention du suicide (AQPS), the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (CASP) and the Fédération Trauma Suicide Liaison Urgence (TSLU). This meeting will provide an inspiring forum for high-level discussions on suicide research, suicide prevention and intervention.

The theme of the congress is Suicide: From research to practice.

Mood Disorders Society of Canada (MDSC) Presents COPE Student Mental Health Initiative at McMaster University with National Award 27/05/2013

MDSC was extremely proud to present COPE: a Student Mental Health Initiative at McMaster University with the Jordan James Pickell Mental Health Achievement Recognition Award for their outstanding contribution to mental health education and anti-stigma activities by actively engaging students and staff in understanding and accepting mental illness and the importance of mental health.

2nd International Conference on Age-Friendly Cities 24/05/2013

September 9 to 11, 2013, Centre des congrès de Québec, 1000, boulevard René-Lévesque Est, Québec (Québec)

Under the theme of Living and Aging Together in our Community, this major gathering welcomes every person that is concerned by aging of populations, whether from municipal administration, the health, social, and community services sector, urban planning and transport, the research milieu, or any of the governmental various levels.

Networks Leadership Symposium 2013 13/05/2013

November 12-13, 2013, Royal Roads University, 2005 Sooke Road, Victoria (British Columbia)

If Networks Are The Answer, What Is The Question? Rethinking Networks

This two-day symposium focuses on re-thinking networks and includes such themes as:

·Should we be re-thinking networks?
·What do we know about creating and managing networks?
·How do we know if networks are working?
·How do we sustain or transform networks over time, or wind them down?

Interested in exploring the science and practice of inter-organizational networks? If you're a network leader, practitioner, decision maker, clinician, researcher, policy maker, or student interested in networks, this symposium is a great opportunity for you to learn about the most current thinking and practice from experts in the field!

Registration is now open.

Mental Health in the Workplace 08/05/2013

May 16, 2013, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., Douglas Mental Health University Institute, 6875 LaSalle Boulevard, Bowerman Room, Dobell Pavilion, Montréal (Québec)

This is a breakfast conference organized by the Chambre de commerce et d'industrie du Sud-Ouest de Montréal (CCISOM) on the issue of mental health in the workplace.

Metal health stigma: Impeding full citizenship 08/05/2013

May 9, 2013, Dr. Frédéric Grunberg Teaching Unit, 7401 Hochelaga Street, Bédard Pavilion, Room BE-3387, Montréal (Québec)

The purpose of this event is to promote reflection on mental health stigma and its consequences on affected individuals. Stigma is prejudice; a label that is attached to human beings, defining them as being “crazy” or “mentally handicapped.”

Through various presentations, the speakers will address how stigma can impede, even today, access to care and services, return to work and social integration. The day will be followed by an open conference on the media's role in the treatment of mental health in Quebec.

Stigma and media: helpful or harmful? 08/05/2013

May 9, 2013, Dr. Frédéric Grunberg Teaching Unit, 7401 Hochelaga Street, Bédard Pavilion, Room BE-3349, Montréal (Québec)

The purpose of this event is to promote reflexion on the role of media in the treatment of mental health.

The opening conference will present the evolution of how mental health has been perceived throughout the ages and will be followed by a panel of various stakeholders who use the media to reach the general public.

First IRSPUM scientific conference – Call for abstracts 08/05/2013

The IRSPUM will hold its first scientific conference on October 18 at the Université de Montréal.

The management of chronic diseases is a good indicator of the health system’s capacity to take complex health problems into account. Recent research on this issue has helped explore other ways to design prevention and intervention activities in this area, in line with new public health discourse. This priority topic is at the heart of this international conference, which fits into the context of the recently signed G3 agreement between the Université Libre de Bruxelles, and universities of Geneva and Montréal.

The deadline to submit your candidacy is May 31, 2013.

Global Mental Health forum: Sustainable development through global action 08/05/2013

September 27-28, 2013, The Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College, London (United Kingdom)

This year’s forum aims to encourage the sharing of evidence and experience to strengthen the case for greater investment in mental health research and services around the world—especially in low and middle income countries. Forum topics include: capacity-building, integrating mental health, programme development and implementation, scaling-up, evaluation, consumer experiences of care, mental health policies and plans, and financing mental health. The forum will include plenary sessions; however, it will largely consist of submitted symposia, workshops and oral and poster presentations.

We invite researchers, mental health workers, consumers, clinicians, policymakers, funders, health service providers, caregivers, advocates and students to contribute to the programme by submitting abstracts for symposia, workshops as well as oral and poster presentations. The deadline for abstract submission is Friday, May 17, 2013 at 5 p.m. GMT.

The “Defeat Depression Campaign” is taking on depression and stigma in a big way! 01/05/2013

Sunday, May 26, 2013, across Canada

In communities across this country, mental health organizations, community groups, caring companies and concerned employees as well as volunteers are organizing local walks, runs, rides and other events to raise awareness about depression and other mood disorders. Their goal is to reduce the stigma that is unfairly associated with a mental illness. This campaign will also raise funds to help local non-profit mental health organizations provide services and support.

Mental Illness Week: The Merveilleuses Têtes Heureuses present Parle pas de t’ça (Don’t talk about that!) 24/04/2013

May 9, 2013, 7:00 p.m., Théâtre du Cégep de Trois-Rivières, 3175 Laviolette Boulevard, Trois-Rivières (Québec)

As part of Mental Illness Week, the Regroupement des organismes de base en santé mentale (ROBSM), a coalition of mental health organizations, invites you to watch their play Parle pas de t’ça (Don’t talk about that!). Through this play about mental health intervention and awareness, ROBSM and its partners aim to create connections between people struggling with mental health problems and the rest of the population. The purpose of this activity is also to foster positive exchanges among participants in order to change negative perceptions and social attitudes.

Discussion workshop for people 50 and over 16/04/2013

Thursday, April 18, 2013, 10 a.m. to noon, Lajeunesse Community Recreation Centre, 7378 Lajeunesse Street, Montréal (Quebec)

The Canadian Mental Health Association’s Montréal Branch and the Réseau FADOQ – Montréal Region are organizing a discussion workshop focusing on positive mental health for people 50 and over.

This discussion workshop will review our individual and collective perception of mental health. It will also give individuals the opportunity to share strategies for taking care of this important aspect of our lives. Essential elements to consider include issues regarding social networks, happiness and the meaning we give to life.

Childhood and adolescent stress: Recognizing it for better control 16/04/2013

May 2, 2013, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Montréal Mental Health University Institute, Dr. Frédéric Grunberg Teaching Unit, 7401 Hochelaga Street, Bédard Pavilion, Room BE-3349, Montréal (Québec)

This conference aims to help parents and teachers recognize the physical and psychological signs of acute and chronic stress in children and adolescents.

We will discuss

• factors known to provoke stress responses in children and adolescents;
• stress sensitivity based on age;
• avenues for intervention that have been proven to reduce stress response in humans.

Treatment of concurrent disorders: What are the best practices? 16/04/2013

April 30, 2013, noon to 2 p.m., Montréal Mental Health University Institute, Dr. Frédéric Grunberg Teaching Unit, 7401 Hochelaga Street, Bédard Pavilion, Room BE-3349, Montréal (Québec)

We will examine current evidence-based practices, especially among young adults who are diagnosed with concurrent disorders.

Isolation and restraint: What are the best practices? 16/04/2013

May 8, 2013, noon to 2 p.m., Montréal Mental Health University Institute, Dr. Frédéric Grunberg Teaching Unit, 7401 Hochelaga Street, Bédard Pavilion, Room BE-3349, Montréal (Québec)

In recent years, reducing isolation and restraint has become a priority in several countries.

• What have we learned about the subject?
• What are the best practices?
• Can we decrease their use? If yes, how?

This presentation will discuss how research on the subject has progressed, highlight some recent discoveries as well as provide an update on where we are and where this could lead.

What is Mental Health First Aid? 16/04/2013

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is the help provided to a person developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. Just as physical first aid is administered to an injured person before medical treatment can be obtained, MHFA is given until appropriate treatment is found or until the crisis is resolved.

The MHFA Canada program aims to improve mental health literacy, and provide the skills and knowledge to help people better manage potential or developing mental health problems in themselves, a family member, a friend or a colleague.

Strengthening Mental Health Supports for Postsecondary Students 09/04/2013

Ontario is investing $27 million over three years to provide new services and supports to postsecondary students at Ontario's colleges and universities. The funding is part of Ontario's comprehensive Mental Health and Addictions Strategy.

May 6-12, 2013 is National Mental Health Week! 05/04/2013

Each year during the first week of May, the Quebec Division of the Canadian Mental Health Association organizes National Mental Health Week. This year’s theme is: Tu es formidable, le sais-tu? (Do you know how amazing you are?).

Conference of the Canadian Association of Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies 27/03/2013

May 23-25, 2013, Montréal (Quebec)

Registration and Submission now open!

Submissions must be received no later than January 11, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. (EST), and can only be submitted via the conference submission portal. Decisions on submissions will be communicated in February 2013. If your submission is accepted, you will be required to register by May 1, 2013 and attend the conference.

Second International Youth Mental Health Conference 26/03/2013

September 30 to October 2, 2013, Brighton Dome, Brighton (United Kingdom)

Adolescence and early adulthood is a critical time for personal development. The major threat to this comes from mental ill health with 75% of mental and substance use disorders emerging by age 25. Latest research reveals the complex interplay of genes, environment, psychological and social factors underpinning the development of these conditions in young people. These conditions can have a devastating impact on young people’s potential to establish their own independence and goals. Yet most of these conditions are very treatable and, if caught early, most people will make a good recovery. Early access and engagement is crucial but traditional health services are not youth friendly. Major gaps exist between adolescent and adult services⎯just at the stage when early intervention could be most effective.

New models are emerging of youth mental health services that embrace therapeutic optimism and incorporate the principals of prevention, early intervention, and recovery. They place young people and their families at the centre of decisions about service and policy development. Youth-friendly accessibility, engagement, and age-appropriate interventions are key to their success.

DSM-5 and the Future of Psychiatric Diagnosis 26/03/2013

June 4-5, 2013, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London, London (United Kingdom)

Mental health practitioners and researchers around the world anticipate the publication of the DSM-5 by the American Psychiatric Association, which is expected within the first few months of 2013. Discussions about the DSM-5 have stretched well beyond the world of academic psychiatry, becoming a matter of intense public interest and media coverage.

The aim of this conference is to have a rigorous and comprehensive discussion of the clinical, research, and public health implications of the DSM-5. The perspective is international and speakers will include top scientists, key policy makers, patient representatives, and primary care clinicians.

Francophone ethnocultural communities of Ontario: Building a healthy, inclusive and equitable community 06/03/2013

Webinar – Friday, March 22, 2013, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

This webinar aims to share experiences, resources and services under review in order to better serve the Francophone ethnocultural population of Ontario. The cultural skills, difficulties and resilience of newly arrived immigrants will be addressed. The specific needs of this population, including the double minority status of Francophone immigrants, will also be discussed.

Training on intercultural relations in mental health 06/03/2013

April 24 and May 1, 2013, CMHA – Montréal Branch, 55 Mont-Royal Avenue West, Suite 605, Montréal (Québec)

This two-day training is an opportunity to learn more about intercultural intervention and to discuss practices with other professionals in terms of service adaptation, prevention and well-being promotion.

Fighting psychological distress in the workplace: Challenges facing managers 06/03/2013

March 26-27, 2013, CMHA – Montréal Branch, 55 Mont-Royal Avenue West, Suite 605, Montréal (Québec)

This training session is intended for private and public company managers, human resources managers, labour relations professionals as well as health, safety and well-being committee members.

Topics:

• Health, stress, distress and burnout: definition and understanding
• Reducing stress at work: risk and protective factors
• Interventions for at-risk individuals
• Interventions for employees with emotional problems
• Keeping your balance

Handling difficult situations in elderly care 06/03/2013

March 21, 2013, 9:00 a.m. to noon, Centre Saint-Pierre, 1212 Panet Street, Montréal (Quebec)

Caregivers or volunteers are often unsure of how to deal with an elderly individual’s difficult temperament or disruptive behaviour. Learning to quickly recognize and interpret such behaviours will help them adapt interventions to each situation, thus preserving the relationship quality and ensuring the safety of everyone involved.

Intended for individuals providing care to older adults, this conference aims to explore different intervention strategies for difficult situations among patients presenting personality disorders, cognitive deficits or aggressive behaviours, while taking the caregiver’s work context into account.

A personality test predicts problems in certain adolescents 06/03/2013

The Substance Use Risk Profile Scale (SURPS) helps reliably measure and predict if an adolescent is at risk of having substance abuse or mental health problems within 18 months. Developed by Université de Montréal researchers, its effectiveness has been tested many times in Canada, the UK, China, Sri Lanka and the Netherlands.

Mental health, substance misuse and homelessness among youth: A better understanding for better interventions 06/03/2013

April 9, 2013, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Douglas Hall, 6875 LaSalle Boulevard, Montréal (Quebec)

This training session aims to create a better picture of the current situation and to better understand evaluation methods and interventions regarding cases of mental illness, substance use and homelessness.

It is intended for care providers and administrators in the fields of prevention, treatment, or any other field involving youth aged 15 to 30 years who are at risk for, or are experiencing, concurrent mental disorders and substance abuse, and who are or have been homeless.

Regional days on elderly suicide 05/03/2013

Quebec’s suicide prevention association, the AQPS, would like to stimulate the creation and development of regional partnerships, while increasing awareness on different aspects of the problem, so that individuals and organizations can plan and implement elderly suicide prevention actions in their region.

Next regional days

Mauricie region: Auberge Gouverneur Shawinigan, 1100 Promenade du Saint-Maurice, Shawinigan (Québec)

Abitibi-Témiscamingue region: Lorrainville (Québec)

16th International Congress of the International Psychogeriatric Association (IPA) 05/03/2013

October 1-4, 2013, COEX, Samsung-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 135-731 (South Korea)

A wide range of scientific programs will be organized under the theme “Towards successful aging: Harmony of mental, physical and social life.” The Congress will address advances in the treatment of dementia, depression and other mental disorders in older adults, as well as the improvement of care quality, in a diverse, multidisciplinary and open forum.

IPA has held international congresses since it was founded in 1982. As the most highly acclaimed meeting in the field of mental health and aging for older people, IPA 2013 is expected to draw over 1000 participants from around the world.

New issue 22/02/2013

This latest issue of the Revue haïtienne de santé mentale (Haitian mental health journal) is entitled La santé mentale en Haïti après le 12 janvier 2010 (Mental health in Haiti after January 12, 2010). It features 22 articles in 203 pages, and also includes the Acts of the first scientific congress of the Haitian Association of Psychology (AHPsy).

To purchase a copy, please go to the Mental Health and Haitian Communities website and follow instructions.

Seventh International Conference on Social Work in Health and Mental Health 13/02/2013

June 23-27, 2013 Los Angeles, CA (United States)

The conference will explore exciting research and innovative practices focused on client-centred social work amid Hollywood’s world-famous landmarks. Conference sub-themes include the following:

• Client groups in health and mental health
• Integrated service settings in health, mental health and substance abuse
• Diversity in health and mental health
• Recovery
• Families and friends in the recovery process
• De-stigmatization of mental illness and health problems
• Interest organizations, recovery, and de-stigmatization
• Social policy, health, and mental health
• Health equity
• Evidence-based practice
• Practice-based research

This conference will allow participants to meet, engage, learn from and collaborate with an international gathering of social work practitioners and academics.

Collaborative mental health care experiences in the state of Washington 12/02/2013

March 8, 2013, Louis-H. Lafontaine Hospital, Dr. Frédéric Grunberg Teaching Unit, 7401 Hochelaga Street, Bédard Pavilion, 3rd floor, Room BE 3387, Montréal (Québec)

Study demonstrates the health benefits of coming out of the closet 12/02/2013

Lesbians, gays and bisexuals (LGBs) who are out to others have lower stress hormone levels and fewer symptoms of anxiety, depression, and burnout, according to researchers at the Centre for Studies on Human Stress (CSHS) at Louis-H. Lafontaine Hospital, affiliated with the Université de Montréal.

Public and citizen participation of mental health service users: What’s in store? 12/02/2013

February 20, 2013, 1:00 p.m., TÉLUQ, 5800 Saint-Denis Street, Room 11.O51, Montréal (Quebec)

This panel conference is organized by the Projet montréalais de participation (Montréal participation project) in collaboration with students from TÉLUQ’s graduate diploma in mental health. Speakers will present the findings of several research projects on public and citizen participation among mental health service users within the 2005-2010 Mental Health Action Plan.

A round table discussion will allow the public to participate in identifying actions most likely to improve public and citizen participation among mental health service users in the years to come.

For further information or to register, please contact Sylvain Caron by February 18 at 514-525-5060 or at projet.representation.mtl@gmail.com.

5th World Congress on Women’s Mental Health 06/02/2013

March 4-7, 2013, Lima (Peru)

The International Association for Women’s Mental Health will present an innovative program focusing on the psychosocial, biological and clinical sciences of women’s mental health from individual, family, society, community and global perspectives. Through a series of keynote lectures, symposia, plenaries, paper sessions, posters and workshops, we will explore the psychosocial, economic and cultural contexts as well as the genetic, cellular, neural, hormonal and pharmacologic aspects of women’s mental health.

Transformational Research in Adolescent Mental Health (TRAM) 06/02/2013

The Graham Boeckh Foundation and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research are pleased to launch a call for expressions of interest through their partnership, TRAM, for an upcoming research network.

The goal of the network is to unite patient and family representatives, policy makers, researchers, service providers, community organizations and other appropriate stakeholders. Together, they will act collectively to improve, within five years, Canada's ability to identify young people with mental illness, and improve the timeliness and quality of care provided to them.

Understanding and improved interventions for people with a personality disorder 06/02/2013

April 11-12, 2013, Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Québec, 2601 De la Canardière Road, Room J-1617, Québec City (Quebec)

Interventions for people with a personality disorder are always challenging, regardless of the profession or theoretical approach involved. The personality disorder client program team of Québec City’s mental health university institute has worked with this clientele for the past twenty years and has also provided supervision and training to hundreds of professionals. This training is intended for any network professional interested in improving their understanding of and interventions for this difficult clientele.

How to avoid burnout 31/01/2013

February 19, 2013, 9:00 a.m. to 5:55 p.m., Mont-Royal Avenue West, Suite 605, Montréal (Quebec)

Canadian Mental Health Association training – Montréal Branch

The main themes of this training session are: the burnout phenomenon, its causes, actions to take, and prevention methods. It was developed to equip participants so that they can effectively and adequately face occupational challenges, while maintaining their health and well-being at work.

This training is intended for private and public company managers, human resources managers, labour relations professionals, health, safety and well-being committee members, as well as any other professionals from public, private and community networks.

Spaces are limited! Please register as soon as possible by filling out the form and submit via email or fax before February 12, 2013.

Sacred Trust: Healing in Aboriginal Culture 25/01/2013

March 1, 2013, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Royal Ottawa Health Centre, Associates in
Psychiatry Auditorium, 1145 Carling Ave, Ottawa (Ontario)

The goal of this one-day conference is to provide mental health clinicians with essential information to understand the unique cultural, spiritual and political issues affecting Aboriginals. Understanding these important issues will improve the effectiveness of mental health clinicians when providing care to Aboriginal persons.

In these workshops, participants will

• gain a better understanding of the mental health issues of Aboriginal persons;
• learn ways that mental health providers can facilitate recovery of cultural identity in Aboriginal health;
• better understand the historical, economic, sociological, and psychological barriers Aboriginal people face in seeking mental health services;
• explore ways that Aboriginal teachings can be incorporated into mental health services.

Better access to mental health services for Aboriginal kids 25/01/2013

Ontario is adding more than 80 new mental health and addictions workers across the province to help almost 4000 Aboriginal children and young people get better access to culturally appropriate mental health and addictions services.

Through the Comprehensive Mental Health and Addictions Strategy, these new workers will provide counseling, individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, and a range of traditional health services, including traditional teachings and ceremonies.

2013 Network Leadership Training Academy 25/01/2013

May 29-31, School of Public Affairs, University of Colorado Denver, 1380 Lawrence Street, Suite 500, Denver, CO (United States)

The Research Program on Collaborative Governance at the University of Colorado Denver's School of Public Affairs invites you to participate in the 2013 Network Leadership Training Academy. This three-day comprehensive workshop is intended for program directors, coalition leaders, and middle to senior managers to learn how to address the challenges of building, managing, and evaluating effective interorganizational networks.

Registration is open now! Space is limited. If interested, please contact Sara Sprong at rpcg@ucdenver.edu for more information.

2013 National Mental Health Conference 25/01/2013

March 19-21, 2013, Delta Hotel, 350 Saint Mary Avenue, Winnipeg (Manitoba)

This event is sponsored by the Mood Disorders Associations of Manitoba.

The conference will focus on the following themes:

• Mental health challenges and the criminal justice system

• Mental health challenges and aboriginal communities

• Mental health challenges in the education system

• Mental health challenges in society today

Celebrating a new era in workplace mental health: Putting national standards into practice 25/01/2013

February 27-28, 2013, Vancouver Convention Centre East, 999 Canada Place, Vancouver (British Columbia)

Bottom Line Conference 2013 is a national conference that addresses what you need to know about promoting psychologically safe and healthy workplaces. Across Canada, employers are increasingly expected to protect workers’ mental health. Now employers and labour can turn to the new The National Standard of Canada titled Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace – Prevention, promotion and guidance to staged implementation. Attend Bottom Line 2013 to learn more and discuss practical ways to adopt the first-ever national standard.

Immigrant and refugee children: Rights and access to health care in Canada 25/01/2013

March 26-27, 2013, Jewish General Hospital, Block Amphitheatre (B-106), 3755 Côte Sainte-Catherine Road, Montréal (Quebec)

This lecture is free and open to all. Please contact Francesca Meloni to register at: francesca.meloni@mail.mcgill.ca

Are you ready to connect the dots? 25/01/2013

February 26, 2013, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., City Hall, l00 Queen Street West, Toronto (Ontario)

The Canadian Mental Health Association’s Toronto division presents the Opening Doors Project

Migration – Discrimination – Mental Health

This day-long participatory session aims to raise awareness about the impact of migration, racism and other forms of discrimination on the mental health of newcomers and refugees.

Through popular theatre activities and interactive discussions, the workshop will develop professional skills in order to foster welcoming communities for newcomers and refugees dealing with mental health issues.

Registration is free for participants and closes on Monday, January 28 at 5:00 p.m.

IRSPUM seminar on the multilevel determinants of workplace mental health 23/01/2013

January 30, 2013, 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., IRSPUM, Université de Montréal, Room 3165-2, Pavilion at 7101 Parc Avenue, Montréal (Québec)

Alain Marchand, full professor at the School of Industrial Relations at the Université de Montréal, will present the conference. Workplace mental health is an important public health issue with significant impact on the functioning of businesses and society as a whole. Alain Marchand will present a synthesis of research results that are based on a multilevel theory of the determinants of mental health.

Comorbidity and dimensions of DSM-5: Towards the most appropriate treatments 14/01/2013

March 15, 2013, 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Douglas Hall, Douglas Institute, 6875 LaSalle Boulevard, Montréal (Québec)

The upcoming publication of DSM-5 has revived interest in dimensional psychiatry. Participants will be asked to apply the dimensional approach to two clinical cases. The goal of this conference is to discuss the origins and development of the dimensional approach, namely regarding DSM-5; to apply the dimensional approach in complex clinical case analyses, to learn how to use dimensional evaluation tools; and to integrate the dimensional approach in treatment plans for complex cases.

Mental Health First Aid is among the best 14/01/2013

Mental Health First Aid Canada has been selected by the Public Health Agency of Canada as an effective intervention for chronic disease prevention and health promotion practice. The nationally respected Best Practice Portal has been compiling a database of chronic disease prevention and health promotion practices since 2001. Its aim is to “improve policy and program decision-making by enabling access to the best available evidence,” also known as Best Practice Interventions. Each intervention is selected against comprehensive selection criteria, and has been reviewed for quality as well as evidence of positive contributions to chronic disease prevention and health promotion.

Graduate students in distress: How to recognize warning signs and avoid violent results of stress, strain and strife 14/01/2013

Online webinar – January 17, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. EST, and/or Thursday, April 4, 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. EDT

Graduate students have a unique set of circumstances that can cause stress, strain, and strife when pursuing their studies at a college or university. These challenges can get in the way of their academic progress, social lives, and general wellness, and in some cases exacerbate existing mental health problems. As the world tragically learned following the shooting in Aurora, Colorado, these issues can have unimaginable consequences, causing students to snap and become violent.

Updating progress on the National Standard on Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace 14/01/2013

The Mental Health Commission of Canada is championing the development of a National Standard of Canada on Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace, which is scheduled for release in early 2013. It is a voluntary standard intended to provide systematic guidelines for Canadian employers that will enable them to develop and continuously improve psychologically safe and healthy workplaces.

The project is supported through funding by the Government of Canada (Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, Health Canada, Public Health Agency of Canada), Great-West Life Centre for Mental Health in the Workplace and Bell. Bureau de Normalisation du Québec (BNQ) and CSA Group (CSA) collaborated to develop the Standard, which will be available free of charge for the first five years to encourage its implementation.

The ultimate goal of the Standard is to take a complex subject and make it easier for employers to take steps to prevent mental injury, reduce psychological risk and promote a mentally healthier workplace.

Following the Standard’s launch in both French and English in January, copies will be available from www.ShopCSA.ca or www.bnq.qc.ca, where it can be downloaded following a brief registration.

Violence at work: Current and future perspectives of best management practices 14/01/2013

Tuesday, January 22, 2013, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Dr. Frédéric-Grundberg Teaching Unit, Bédard Pavilion, 7401 Hochelaga Street, 3rd floor, Room BE-3337, Montréal (Québec)

These webinars are organized by the VISAGE research team at the Trauma Studies Centre to foster knowledge sharing and transfer about violence in the workplace, while taking sex and gender aspects into account.

14th Canadian Collaborative Mental Health Care Conference 08/01/2013

June 27-28, 2013, Delta Centre-Ville, 777 University Street, Montréal (Quebec)

Collaboration and complexity: Seeking out new forms of life

Collaborative models improve access to mental health care and clinical outcomes. At this conference, providers, consumers and funders will have an opportunity to exchange ideas and explore future collaborative initiatives for enhanced experiences of seeking and receiving care.

More information about the abstract submission process will be available shortly. The submission deadline is Thursday, January 31, 2013.

Mental Health Commission of Canada call for Youth Council applications 07/01/2013

The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) recognizes that empowering and collaborating with youth is essential to improving our mental health care system; with as many as 70 per cent of young adults living with mental health problems or illnesses reporting that symptoms started in childhood. We are currently seeking applications for four new members of the Youth Council.

This call for members is open until 5pm (MST) on January 11, 2013. Short-listed candidates will be interviewed the week of January 21, 2013 by phone or over Skype, and new members will be notified the week of January 28, 2013. The first meeting of the new Youth Council will take place in the spring of 2013.

Improving mental health equity and outcomes 07/12/2012

In his fourth appraisal report, the commissioner addresses mental health care and services performance. The report was tabled in the National Assembly on December 5, 2012.

Deinstitutionalisation and after: Post-war psychiatry in global perspective 05/12/2012

May 9-10, 2013, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow (United Kingdom)
Despite the popularity of the history of psychiatry, and twentieth-century psychiatry in particular, little attention has been paid to the history of deinstitutionalisation. Much of the research remains focused on psychiatric hospitals, although the proliferation of institutional forms of mental health care was among the key transformations in twentieth-century psychiatry. The present conference seeks to redress this imbalance in the historiography of psychiatry by addressing the broader historical context of deinstitutionalisation and how psychiatry and understandings of mental illness changed as a result.
Submissions deadline: January 31, 2013.

Family day at the Institut universitaire de santé mentale de Québec (IUSMQ) 04/12/2012

To mark the first anniversary of the Guide for families and friends of individuals with mental health problems’ launch, Patricia Laflèche and her team are organizing a family day that will be held at the IUSMQ in May 2013. The team is currently conducting a survey among families to find a title for the event, identify the overall theme and issues to be addressed, and determine how they view this day. The team hopes that 80% of participants will be families of mental health sufferers, and that the remaining 20% will include care providers working with families.

Promotion of the Guide in various environments 04/12/2012

Patricia Laflèche and her team also give information sessions on the Guide to members of the military, spiritual and religious leaders, as well as in colleges, high schools, and volunteer organizations throughout the Québec City region. These sessions usually include presentations from families who share their experiences with the health network and what type of approach they are hoping for in the near future regarding this issue. Such meetings are always prove promising!

Understanding mental aging: Strategies to help the elderly reach their fullest potential 09/11/2012

December 4, 2012, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Centre Saint-Pierre, 1212 Panet Street, Montréal (Quebec)

This is a conference organized by the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Montréal division. For a caregiver or volunteer, meeting someone during this period of aging, characterized by discovering and witnessing the meaning of life, is a privilege. As such, it is important to know this person’s history and emotional markers in order to respect their beliefs and values.

Keynote speaker: Ginette Henri, M.A., Clinical Nurse Specialist, Elderly Mental Health Care, Graduate Diploma (D.É.S.S.) in Bioethics

Supporting family caregivers 09/11/2012

November 24, 2012, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Centre Saint-Pierre, 1212 Panet Street, Montréal (Quebec)

Recent years have seen a significant transfer of State responsibilities regarding care of the disabled to families. These social changes greatly impact family life and can affect the health and well-being of caregivers. Promoting quality of life and preventing mental health problems for caregivers requires an understanding of their different roles as well as psychological and emotional outcomes, and an accurate identification of their needs.

Keynote speaker: Esther Hockenstein, Social Worker, Caregiver Support Centre (retired), CSSS Cavendish.

Handling difficult situations in elderly care 09/11/2012

February 2, 2012, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Centre Saint-Pierre, 1212 Panet Street, Montréal (Québec)

Caregivers or volunteers are often unsure of how to deal with an elderly individual’s difficult temperament or disruptive behaviour. Learning to quickly recognize and interpret such behaviours will help them adapt interventions to each situation, thus preserving the relationship quality and ensuring the safety of everyone involved. This conference aims to explore various intervention strategies to handle difficult situations in elderly care with regards to personality disorders, cognitive impairment, or aggressive behaviours, and according to care contexts involved.

Keynote speaker: Michel Bigaouette, Advisor and Trainer, ASSTSAS

Innovations in mental health – Doing better for children and families 09/11/2012

November 26, 2012, MaRS Discovery District Auditorium, 101 College Street, Toronto (Ontario)

The first event in the series features Dr. Peter Szatmari, Chedoke Health Chair in Child Psychiatry at McMaster University, in conversation with Dr. Catherine Zahn, President and CEO of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), and Mary Jo Haddad, President and CEO of Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids).

Mental health assessment tools: Facilitating care across the continuum 09/11/2012

December 12, 2012, Radisson Admiral Hotel Toronto-Harbourfront, 249 Queen’s Quay West Toronto (Ontario)

This one-day educational conference is presented by the Ontario Hospital Association. Standardized assessment tools are evidence-based instruments that capture client/patient information to support care planning and delivery, quality improvement, health system management and policy development. These tools are currently used to support individuals with mental illness receiving community-based services as well as hospital-based care (inpatient psychiatry and outpatient programs).

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Canada 09/11/2012

January 12 to February 2, 2013, Can-Voice, 450 Spruce Street, London, (Ontario)

Sponsored by the Mental Health Commission of Canada, this 12-hour international, standardized training course teaches participants how to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis.

Psychologists have their hands full 09/11/2012

(Refers to article “Les psychologues en ont plein les bras” by Daphné Cameron published in La Presse October 26, 2012.) Rose-Marie Charest, president of the Ordre des psychologues du Québec, believes the State should refund psychotherapy costs for Quebec residents in distress forced to consult in private practice because the public sector is full. According to a survey published Thursday by the Ordre des psychologues, overly high costs and long wait times discourage most Quebecers from consulting psychologists.

For 50 years, psychologists have been changing the world: Survey confirms the profession’s importance 09/11/2012

On the occasion of its 2012 conference and 50th anniversary, the Ordre des psychologues du Québec has published the results of a survey on Quebecers’ use of psychological services. It is revealed that 43% of the population has consulted a psychologist; individuals under 35 are more informed and more likely to consult a psychologist than the rest of the population; and taking antidepressants without psychological support is not a treatment option most Quebecers would consider if given the choice.

Ottawa forum to explore equity, anti-racism and mental health 07/11/2012

November 20, Taggart Family YMCA-YWCA, 180 Argyle Avenue, Ottawa (Ontario)

The forum will explore issues of equity and anti-racism as they relate to mental health, physical activity and healthy eating. Decision-makers, program managers, and primary care professionals working in community agencies who serve marginalized communities, including leaders in the mental health, settlement services, nutrition, and physical activity sectors, are encouraged to attend.

Government of Canada and Graham Boeckh Foundation jointly support mental health research network 30/10/2012

On October 1, 2012, the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, joined Tony Boeckh, Chair of the Graham Boeckh foundation, and Dr. Alain Beaudet, President of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), to announce the launch of the new Patient-Oriented Network in Adolescent and Youth Mental Health. The research network aims to improve the care provided to young Canadians with mental illness by taking research findings and using them in practice and policy.

Where you live may boost your sense of well-being 30/10/2012

Featured on the MedlinePlus website, this HealthDay article presents a study published in the journal Science, which found that when families moved from impoverished neighbourhoods to ones that were less poor, the adults in those families experienced lasting improvements in mental health and well-being.

The Inuit Health Survey 2007-2008 Nunavut Community and Personal Wellness Report 30/10/2012

The Inuit Health Survey 2007-2008 Nunavut Community and Personal Wellness Report was produced through a partnership of the Government of Nunavut (GN), Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI), and researchers from both McGill University and the University of Toronto. Researchers spent two years surveying Nunavummiut. The survey included a questionnaire covering seven areas: community safety, traditional activities, social networks, individual mental health, interpersonal violence, suicide, and alcohol or drug use and gambling.

Improving mental health in Montréal Aboriginal communities 24/10/2012

December 12, 2012, 9 a.m. to 12 a.m., Centre Saint-Pierre, 1212 Panet Street, Montréal (Quebec)

This conference is presented by Arlene Laliberté, professor at the Department of Psychoeducation and Psychology of the Université du Québec en Outaouais.

Lately, more and more Aboriginals are born in or move to urban centres such as Montréal. Implementing accessible health, education and social services suited to their cultures has become imperative. To do this, we must understand their communities' needs and distinctive characteristics, and use intervention methods in line with their values. This conference aims to improve the ability of care providers to work within these communities, provide its members with solutions adapted to their needs, as well as support their well-being.

Raising the subject of mental health with immigrants 24/10/2012

March 13, 2013, Centre Saint-Pierre, 1212 Panet Street, Montréal (Quebec)

This conference is presented by Veronique Harvey and Marie-Ève Dufour, social workers and trainers at the Service d’éducation et d’intégration interculturelle de Montréal (SEIIM).

Confiding one’s emotions and discussing one’s mental health with a stranger is not easy for anyone. This can be even harder for immigrants who have just started adapting to new surroundings. Understanding the context in which mental health problems can arise and considering the various perceptions related to health and illness, can help care providers assess an individual’s level of distress and better establish what led to his or her mental health problems. Recognizing intercultural communication barriers is essential to overcoming them.

Supporting men in transitional situation 24/10/2012

November 8, 2012, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Centre Saint-Pierre, 1212 Panet Street, Montréal (Quebec)

This conference is presented by Jean-Martin Deslauriers, Ph.D., social worker and professor at the University of Ottawa’s School of Social Work.

Interventions targeting a male clientele can be particularly challenging, mainly because counselling requirements might contradict with the way men socialize. This conference will examine intervention strategies supported by research findings.

Douglas blogosphere adds an all new blog 24/10/2012

Lately, the Douglas Mental Health University Institute has been focusing on promoting recovery from mental illness. The English-language blog, Recovery Talks, is exactly what you would expect after reading its title. It is written by three women, who have each witnessed mental illness from various perspectives. Recovery Talks is the newest of four blogs that make up the Douglas blogosphere, which was launched in 2006 to demystify mental illnesses and encourage knowledge sharing in mental health.

43rd National Council Mental Health And Addictions Conference 24/10/2012

April 8-10, 2013, Caesars Palace, 3570 Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV (USA)

The 43rd National Council Mental Health and Addictions Conference will allow participants to explore the greatest health care innovations: behavioural health practice improvement, financing, integrated healthcare, technology, policy and advocacy, social justice, and professional development. The latest mental health care trends will also be presented and attendees can learn how to implement innovative programs with proven outcomes during the conference’s 125 sessions.

Choose from any of the 17 “conference tracks”. Several new ones have been added such as criminal justice and peer workforce. Interact with a line-up of speakers you can’t meet anywhere else, including historian and Pulitzer Prize winner Doris Kearns Goodwin, surgeon and top healthcare reform leader Atul Gawande, business journalist and author of The Corner Office Adam Bryant, and national healthcare policy and practice reform expert Linda Rosenberg.

Fernand-Seguin Research Center researchers develop three mobile applications 24/10/2012

In 2011, thanks to a generous donation from Bell Canada, Fernand-Seguin Center researchers were able to develop three mobile apps to help personalize patient care. They are now ready to unveil the applications. These are the first steps taken in Quebec towards developing and integrating new mobile technologies for mental health.

The first app, RéadApps, is a portal meant to compile and evaluate existing applications intended for individuals with severe mental health problems who are undergoing rehabilitation or social integration.

The second app is referred to as iSmart. It is meant to reduce chronic stress levels in individuals suffering from major depression.

Réal Labelle, a professor in the Department of Psychology at the UQAM, developed the third app known as PsyAssistance. It helps clinicians by compiling data related to the treatment of individuals with suicidal tendencies.

The World Health Organization states that depression is a common illness, and people who suffer from it need support and treatment 24/10/2012

On World Mental Health Day, the WHO called for an end to the stigmatization of depression and other mental disorders, and for better access to treatment for those who need it.

Over 350 million people worldwide suffer from depression, a mental disorder that prevents individuals from leading a normal life. However, because of the stigma that is still often related to depression, many fail to acknowledge that they are ill and therefore do not seek treatment.

Quality of working life evaluation 24/10/2012

The last two decades have shown that work-related mental health problems have drastically increased. More and more workers suffer from stress, depression and psychological distress. This is very concerning for managers. Finally a tool to diagnose and thus help prevent work-related mental health problems has been developed: the Quality of Working Life Systemic Inventory (QWLSI).

Across several business sectors, labour shortage is leading businesses to redefine their working conditions to become an employer of choice. The QWILSI helps managers identify which elements require special attention to attract and retain their personnel.

Social integration of older immigrants: Understanding the issues to foster inclusion 17/10/2012

October 24, 2012, 9 a.m. to 12 a.m., Centre Saint-Pierre, 1212 Panet Street, Montréal (Quebec)

Keynote speaker Soumya Tamouro, is Director of ACCÉSSS’s Health and Research-Development-Training programs.
Moving to a country with little or no knowledge of its language or cultural norms is always a challenge. Understanding the situation of older immigrants settling in Montréal can help care providers and community organizations support them in order to promote their social integration, improve access to care services and avoid social exclusion.

Lights, camera, discussion! 12/10/2012

October 24, 2012, auditorium of the Grande Bibliothèque, 475 Maisonneuve Boulevard West, Montréal (Québec)

“Youth and mental health” conference day hosted by the Mental Illness Foundation and the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SVPM), in collaboration with Issula Films.

The 7th “Youth and mental health” conference brings together two Partners for Life program hosts, three SPVM policemen (two of whom work in the Morality Squad), an ethnopsychiatrist, a psychoeducator, a sociologist and a professor who is working on a unique documentary approach with 12 boys.

They will passionately and enthusiastically share their knowledge and experience of realities that directly or indirectly affect youth mental health.

Training on intercultural relations in mental health 02/10/2012

October 16 and 23, 2012, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 55 Mont-Royal Avenue West, Suite 605, Montréal (Quebec)

This two-day training provided by the Montréal division of the Canadian Mental Health Association is an opportunity to learn more about intercultural approaches in intervention and to discuss practices with other professionals in terms of service adaptation, prevention and well-being promotion.

Objectives

• Recognizing the role of culture in life, health, illness and death.
• Increasing participants’ awareness of significant questions raised by immigration.
• Understanding different migration contexts and their impact on immigrant mental health.
• Improving knowledge about the diversity of values, intercultural approaches in helping relationships and principles of intercultural communication.
• Reflecting about accessibility of services to migrants and exploring concrete ways to adapt them to their needs.

North American Refugee Health Conference 2013 02/10/2012

June 6-8, 2013, Hyatt Regency Hotel, 370 King St. West, Toronto (Ontario)

Building on the momentum of the Canadian Refugee Health Conference held in 2011, health professionals and experts from many disciplines will meet to discuss the best health practices, challenges for optimal care, research, and advocacy for the refugee patient population.

This is considered to be the leading conference for people who work with refugee populations. Health workers from many disciplines discuss the best health practices to optimize the care of refugee populations. It provides a forum for sharing up-to-date, evidence-based information, and a platform for research, advocacy and mobilization.

The planning committee invites interested parties to submit poster or oral abstracts. A limited number of workshops will also be considered.

The Seventh World Conference on the Promotion of Mental Health and the Prevention of Mental and Behavioural Disorders 27/09/2012

October 17-19, 2012, Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, 21 Mounts Bay Road, Perth (Australia).

The 21st Century Approach to Mental Health. The conference title stresses the need to move more explicitly in all countries across the world from a mainly treatment oriented care regime to health and public systems that balance treatment, prevention and promotion. The title also emphasises the need for innovations in prevention and promotion strategies based on new knowledge and technological developments such as reflections on new insights from positive psychology, developmental psychopathology, gene-environment studies, economic evaluation of mental health and prevention, human capital studies, societal impact analysis, the impact of poverty, policy making and promoting mental health in communities and populations.

Open Minds Across Canada symposia 27/09/2012

September 30 to October 6, 2012.

Symposia events will be held in Vancouver, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Montréal, Ottawa, Hamilton, Toronto, Durham Region, Kingston, Timmins and Halifax. Speakers at each symposium will address a variety of topics depending on the location, including information on stigma, promoting positive mental health in youth, aboriginal mental health, supporting and engaging families and youth suicide.

Dialogue for Life 2012 24/09/2012

November 24-29, 2012, Sheraton Hotel, 1201 René-Levesque Boulevard West, Montréal (Quebec)

Annual conference for the prevention of suicide held by the First Nations & Inuit Suicide Prevention Association of Quebec and Labrador, titled: Celebrating Our Strengths, Honouring Life.

Psychiatry and mental health: Shared, collaborative or integrated care? 13/09/2012

Friday, November 2, 2012, Hotel Omni Mont-Royal, 1050 Sherbrooke West, Montréal (Quebec)

This is a seminar organized by the Québec and Eastern Canada branch of the American Psychiatric Association and the Association des médecins psychiatres du Québec.

At the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• compare different shared mental health care models

• learn about evidence-based data supporting mental health care integration

• compare the shared care experience in Quebec, Canada and the United States

• identify challenges and facilitating factors in the successful achievement of shared care goals

• use specific strategies to evaluate shared care experience

• explain what MSRP (médecin specialiste répondant en psychiatrie) psychiatrists have been doing since 2010, and what else they could do to expand collaborative care services.

For further information, contact Lise Godbout at 450-263-6569 or lise.godbout@sympatico.ca, or Caroline Piecha at 514-350-5108 or cpiecha@fmsq.org

16th symposium of the Association québécoise pour la réadaptation psychosociale 13/09/2012

October 31 to November 2, Québec City Convention Centre and Hilton Québec hotel

Healing and full citizenship: From talk to action!

Within the realm of psychosocial rehabilitation, two fundamental concepts emerge: healing and full citizenship. Two elements in a call to action for full social inclusion, which can be a simple or complex means of achieving citizenship that moves beyond citizen status to engaged citizenship.

Register before September 23, 2012, and save on the registration cost.

Douglas Institute 2011-2012 Annual Report 13/09/2012

Entitled "The Power to Recover," the Douglas Institute's 2011-2012 annual report is constructed around the vision of the Institute's 2011-2015 strategic plan. The plan outlines the major issues in mental health and addresses the essential conditions that will give people afflicted with mental health problems the hope and resources they need to live a more satisfying and engaged life.

Aboriginal Mental Health & Wellness Conference: Creating a New Legacy 10/09/2012

October 24-25, 2012, Victoria Inn Brandon, 3555 Victoria Avenue, Brandon (Manitoba)

This event is for anyone who provides care to Aboriginal peoples. It aims to promote awareness and knowledge of healing initiatives designed to mitigate the emotional impact and mental health issues associated with the legacy of the residential school system. The conference will also promote mental well-being as Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities work and heal together.
EARLY REGISTRATION - BEFORE SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

Handling difficult situations in elderly care 10/09/2012

Thursday, September 27, 2012, 9 a.m. to 12 a.m., Centre Saint-Pierre, 1212 Panet Street, Montréal (Quebec)

This is a conference of the Canadian Mental Health Association, Montréal division, within the framework of its program “Vieillir en bonne santé mentale” (Healthy Mental Ageing).

Caregivers or volunteers are often unsure of how to deal with an elderly individual’s difficult temperament or disruptive behaviour. Learning to quickly recognize and interpret such behaviours will help them adapt interventions to each situation, thus preserving the relationship quality and ensuring the safety of everyone involved.

Registration deadline is September 21.

Bal des lumières: the largest-ever fundraiser for mental health 31/08/2012

March 20, 2013, Bell Centre, Avenue des Canadiens-de-Montréal, Montréal (Quebec)

Bell announced that it will present the largest-ever fundraising event for mental health in Quebec. The Bal des lumières will raise funds for the Hôpital Louis-H. Lafontaine Foundation, the Mental Illness Foundation and the Douglas Mental Health University Institute Foundation.

Seventh International Conference on Social Work in Health and Mental Health 31/08/2012

June 23-27, 2013, Los Angeles (California)

The 7th International Conference on Social Work in Health and Mental Health will explore exciting research and innovative practices focused on client-centred social work amidst the world famous landmarks of Hollywood. Greater Los Angeles will indeed make for a unique setting in which to examine groundbreaking theories and advanced academic and practice-based research, and see how they are translated into research-informed practice for the diverse population of Southern California.

Mini-Psych School 2012 31/08/2012

Tuesdays, from October 9 to November 6, 2012

Delving into the theme of prevention, courses in the 2012 series will be hosted and facilitated by Camillo Zacchia, Ph.D., Psychologist and Senior Advisor at the Douglas. Courses are in English.

First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada: Demande d'articles pour la Revue 31/08/2012

The First Nations Child & Family Caring Society of Canada publishes the First Peoples Child & Family Review journal twice a year.

The journal presents research results, critical analyses, stories, standpoints and media reviews. Reaching beyond the walls of academia, it aims to promote interdisciplinary research, practice, policy and educational publications that focus on Indigenous, First Nations and Aboriginal perspectives that advance innovative research, policy and practice within the field of child, family and community-based issues.

Two calls for papers
Volume 7, Issue 2, 2012 – Focus on Aboriginal Child and Youth Mental Health
Deadline: September 30, 2012

Volume 8, Issue 1, 2013 – Focus on Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
Deadline: October 31, 2012

Evidence-Informed Healthcare Renewal Portal 31/08/2012

The Evidence-Informed Healthcare Renewal Portal (EIHR Portal) is a single window into a continuously updated collection of policy-relevant documents such as jurisdictional reviews, stakeholder position papers, and intergovernmental communiqués that can guide healthcare leaders in their timely pursuit of health system renewal, transformation and innovation. A collaboration between the McMaster Health Forum and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the EIHR Portal is easily searchable and accessible. You can find documents that address priority areas identified by federal, provincial and territorial governments.

The latest edition of Canada’s Children is now available 23/08/2012

The publication from the Child Welfare League of Canada (CWLC) is now available online in its new electronic format. This edition is dedicated to children’s mental health. It presents key initiatives that have borne concrete and positive results in Canada.

The articles are written by university students, practitioners, and decision-makers working in mental health, who were selected to spark reflection on best practices and real, positive results.

American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (AAGP) 2013 Annual Meeting 23/08/2012

March 14-17, 2013, JW Marriott Hotel, Los Angeles (California)

This meeting will include presentations, workshops, discussion sessions, and interest groups on the theme of Finding the Golden Years at the Dawn of a Silver Age: Tools for Geriatric Mental Health Prospectors. The AAGP Annual Meeting is the premier educational event in geriatric mental health care, providing the latest information on clinical care, aging and mental health research, and models of care.

Recovery: two important documents are now available in French 23/08/2012

A working group in Quebec has translated two important documents on implementing recovery. Making Recovery a Reality is written for health care providers and Implementing Recovery is for administrators. Written by Geoff Shepherd, Jed Boardman and Mike Slade, both French and English versions are available online on the Centre for Mental Health UK website.

The translation of these documents was made possible by a grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Myra Piat, Sonia Côté, Catherine Briand and Jannina Komaroff managed the project in collaboration with a working group composed of approximately 40 individuals. This working group has also agreed to continue its work and set up a community of practice on recovery next fall.

The French version of the documents will be officially launched at the AQRP (Association québécoise pour la réadaptation psychosociale) conference at the end of October 2012.

Suicide Risk Assessment Conference and Workshop 16/08/2012

October 23, 2012, Toronto (Ontario)

Suicide is a tragic and distressing phenomenon. The negative effects on families, friends and communities following a death by suicide reinforce the urgent need for better understanding and prevention. Statistics Canada reported that 3500 people committed suicide in 2006. In addition to increased suicide rates, suicide attempts account for an even greater number of hospitalizations.

For these reasons, suicide risk assessment has been identified in Canada, and internationally, as a fundamental safety issue among health care organizations. Focusing on suicide risk assessment is a first step in improving suicide prevention.

The Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) and the Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI) have recognized suicide as an important patient safety concern and have commissioned the development of a resource guide related to suicide risk assessment and prevention for use in Canadian health care organizations.

Eleventh Workshop on Costs and Assessment in Psychiatry: Mental health policy, economics and health care reforms 09/08/2012

March 22-24, 2013, Scuola Grande di San Giovanni Evangelista, San Polo 2454, Venice (Italy)

The International Center of Mental Health Policy and Economics Section on Mental Health Economics was established in 1998 and given permanent status approval by the World Psychiatric Association in 1999. The Section’s main goal is to encourage interdisciplinary research between psychiatrists, economists and other professionals in the mental health sector in order to promote a common language and scientific background between those who finance, provide and use mental health and addiction services around the world.

Since 1990, ten international workshops have been held in Europe and in the U.S. They have allowed participants (psychiatrists, health economists, psychologists, medical sociologists, public health researchers and statisticians from universities, government agencies and hospital research units) to come together, discuss empirical findings from clinical and economic evaluation studies, and seek ways of using this information in health policy decision-making.

Seminar of the Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur de Montréal psychiatry department 09/08/2012

September 20-21, 2012, UQAM, Amphitheatre SH-2800, Pierre-Dansereau Science Complex, 200 Sherbrooke Street West, Montréal (Quebec)

One out of 10 people will be diagnosed with depression during their lifetime. Depression is becoming increasingly recognized by society and is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. This condition is often difficult to detect as it can present itself in hundreds of different ways. The psychiatry department, in collaboration with the Programme des maladies affectives, invites you to this seminar titled “Dépression aux mille visages” (The many faces of depression), which will review knowledge and current research in this complex field.

Article by Louise Fournier on applied public health chairs 24/07/2012

Dr. Fournier is working to improve public mental health through research and knowledge transfer. Her work is mainly focused on the quality of primary care for people with anxiety and depressive disorders, which are the most common mental health problems in the general population. The article can be found on the Canadian Institutes of Health Research website.

The Child Welfare League of Canada (CWLC) is launching a series of webinars on the Mental Health Knowledge Network (MHKN) 23/07/2012

The MHKN is a compelling webinar series on child, youth, and family mental health issues specifically designed for primary care workers. Please note that the two webinars currently online are in English only. Here are two upcoming MHKN webinars:

September 19, 2012, 1 p.m. EST

Evidence-based practice in child mental health: A research update

Speaker: John D. McLennan, Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Calgary.

November 29, 2012, 2 p.m. EST

The caregiving relationship and infant mental health

Speaker: Mary Rella, B.A., Dip. C.S., Manager of Consultation Assessment and Training Services at the Panorama Program, Thistletown Regional Center, part of Ontario’s Ministry of Children and Youth Services.

The Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) is launching an online guide on children’s mental health 23/07/2012

Following a sharp increase in the number of children diagnosed with mental health issues, CHEO has created a new section on their website to share a wide range of mental health information.

CMHA National Conference 20/07/2012

October 18 and 19, 2012, Delta Regina, 1919 Saskatchewan Drive, Regina
(Saskatchewan)

Delegates at the October 2012 conference will have an opportunity to attend presentations and discussions on topics such as strengthening our voice, ensuring quality services, determining the implications of today’s changing non-profit landscape for the CMHA, extending our reach, and preparing our next steps.

46th Annual Conference of the American Association of Suicidology 05/07/2012

April 24-27, 2013, Hilton Austin, East 4th Street, Austin, TX (United States)

The theme of the 2013 conference is “Challenging our Assumptions and Moving Forward Together.”

Though our understanding of suicidal behaviours and their impact on others has advanced considerably over the past few decades, preventing suicide attempts and deaths remains a considerable public health challenge. This year’s theme therefore seeks to encourage presenters and attendees to focus on innovative ideas and new perspectives with the potential to increase our understanding and prevention of suicidal behaviours.

Putting Evidence into Practice: The PLoS Medicine Series on Global Mental Health Practice 21/06/2012

The Public Library of Science (PLoS) Medicine editors are announcing the launch of a new series on global mental health practice. They are issuing a call for case study presentations that can help broaden our understanding of mental health in “real-life” contexts. The goal is to address the gap between public health approaches to mental health and clinical approaches to treating mental disorders.

Rural and Remote Health Research: Creative Approaches 14/06/2012

October 25-27, 2012, Four Points by Sheraton Lévis Convention Centre, 5800 J. B. Michaud Street, Lévis (Quebec)

This conference will provide unique opportunities for researchers, practitioners, policy makers, graduate students, and community members to express and share their creative approaches to knowledge translation for the health and well-being of rural and northern residents.

The Canadian Rural Health Research Society (CRHRS) is an organization of researchers and community partners. The mission of CRHRS is to facilitate research and knowledge translation aimed at understanding and promoting the health of people living in rural and remote regions of Canada.

CAPE 2012 Annual Scientific Symposium 14/06/2012

September 27, 2012, Louis-H. Lafontaine Hospital and the Fernand-Seguin Research Center, 7401, Hochelaga Street, Montréal (Quebec)

Using survey and administrative data to create surveillance indicators for the new Canadian Mental Health Strategy: Opportunity and challenges.

In May 2012, the Canadian Mental Health Commission launched the first national mental health strategy and proposed a series of indicators to monitor the implementation and impact of this strategy across Canada and at the provincial and regional levels. Some CAPE members were involved in the development of these indicators. The CAPE 2012 Symposium will address the issues of the availability, strengths and limitations of the indicators based on survey and administrative data.

The deadline for submissions is June 24, 2012.

Mini-Psych School 2011 is Online 06/06/2012

The Mini-Psych School answers a number of questions on mental health and psychiatry. It is organized by the Douglas Mental Health Education Office (MHEO).

Between head and heart is a series of seven video lectures that aim to provide a greater understanding of mental disorders. Camillo Zacchia, psychologist and senior advisor at the MHEO hosted and facilitated the series. Classes were offered in French this year. For the first time, Mini-Psych School was also webcasted live.

13th Canadian Collaborative Mental Health Care Conference 06/06/2012

June 15-16, 2012, Four Seasons Hotel, 791 West Georgia Street, Vancouver (British Columbia)

This year, we are expecting over 300 delegates from Canada and around the world. The theme for this conference is Collaboration in Action. We feel this is a timely topic with the provincial and federal government focus on primary care reform; a vital part of this reform is promotion of mental health care collaboration among primary care providers.

Suicide prevention forum 05/06/2012

September 25-27, 2012, Delta Trois-Rivières et Centre des congrès, 1620 Notre-Dame Centre, Trois-Rivières (Quebec)
The purpose of the Quebec Association for Suicide Prevention (AQPS) forum is to generate interest and engage Quebec’s population in view of preventing this terrible tragedy. The forum highlights daily efforts made within our communities to substantially decrease Quebec’s suicide rate, making this event an essential gathering for all stakeholders working to make a difference.