VITAL LINKS: Rallying from Isolation Loneliness & Depression to Connection Contribution & Joy
Experts agree that isolation and loneliness are epidemic in Canada and beyond, with rates of depression, anxiety, substance use, and suicidal ideation rising across all demographics. The resulting impacts on individuals, families, workplaces, and communities are serious and require urgent, innovative, and collaborative attention.
To that end, VITAL LINKS: Rallying from Isolation, Loneliness & Depression to Connection, Contribution & Joy combines science with storytelling in a compelling conversation about this pressing issue with experts from various sectors, ages, and cultures who have diverse experiences, insights, ideas, and passions.
Designed to inform, inspire, and mobilize viewers, the summit explores isolation, loneliness and the resulting mental health challenges and opportunities before, during, and after COVID-19. Touching stories of trauma and resilience are balanced with practical mental health how-to’s, reports of pioneering public policies and programs abroad, First Nations’ perspectives on mental health and care, models of connection and advocacy for youth and seniors, and emerging chatbot technology to support seniors.
Topics and Speakers:
Transforming trauma into personal and community resilience
Veronica Marshall-Bernard, MSW (student), RSW / Mi' kmaq First Nation, Nova Scotia Health Authority
Defining practical mental health solutions in a post-COVID world
Vincent Agyapong, MD, PhD / Psychiatrist, Professor and Researcher, University of Alberta
Exploring pioneering policy and program solutions in Canada and beyond
Mary Bartram, PhD, RSW / Policy Director, Mental Health Commission of Canada
Finding friendship and purpose in the Men’s Sheds movement
Art Post, Co-Founder / Okanagan Men’s Sheds Association
Voicing First Nations’ perspectives on mental health and care
Tania Dick, RN, BScN, MN-NP / Dzawada'enuxw First Nation, First Nations Health Council of BC
Designing chatbots to build helpful connections for seniors
Osmar Zaiane, PhD / Professor, Department of Computing Science, University of Alberta
Looking at loneliness and its impacts through youth-focused lenses
Taylor McKee / Student (UBC Okanagan), Jack.org Speaker, Foundry Volunteer
Panel Discussion: All Speakers
Speaker profiles are available here.
FOF’s HEADS UP! Community Mental Health Summit gathers people from all sectors, ages, cultures, abilities, and genders to boost awareness about mental health challenges and opportunities for individuals, families, workplaces, and communities.
Each summit gathers scientists, researchers, policy makers, mental health experts, community changemakers, and storytellers with lived experience to examine a specific mental health issue from a variety of perspectives, with an eye to collaborative solutions.
DONATIONS... it's about support!
Your donation to support the HEADS UP! Community Mental Health Summit will help us capture and share these experts’ vitally important insights and ideas with viewers in Canada and beyond.
Help us advance the conversation about mental health challenges, successes, and opportunities at the individual, family, workplace, and community scales.
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