What does it take to drive complex, intersecting and critical services into action within the youth mental health substance use sector? How do we inform new policies? What implementation methods are required? Most importantly, how do we ensure equitable voices and representation within design and delivery? These are the types of questions we hope to ... Read more

Due to limited resources or time, our role of supporting others as counsellors and helpers is often brief. That is why it is essential to have the skills to explore meaningful goals and achieve practical advancements in a short period of time. Solution-focused therapy (SFT) is a short-term, goal-oriented counselling approach that seeks to help ... Read more

Helpers regularly encounter stories and symptoms of trauma in their roles. There is growing evidence that the impact of directly supporting others through experiences of trauma goes beyond burnout or fatigue. The toll of witnessing intense human experiences and emotions can contribute to a negative transformation of a helper’s own sense of safety, and of ... Read more

The diagnostic criterion for PTSD used in Canada does not clearly identify how the effects of very early trauma can shape trauma symptoms. It does not account for the potential impact of abuse and neglect experienced between birth and age six on identity, emotion regulation and on how relationships may be formed and maintained.   This ... Read more

The Black population in Canada is growing mostly due to migration from Africa and the Caribbean. The largest increase is 349,000 persons during 2016-2021. While the post migration period can be challenging for immigrants and refugees, Black newcomers encounter additional barriers associated with the social determinants of health. This in turn influences their mental health. ... Read more

The Research for Social Change Lab (RSCL) and A Question of Care (QoC) are partnering to put on a symposium on housing and homelessness in Peterborough on February 22 & 23, 2024. This event is a follow-up to the housing forum held in May 2023. It will focus on community collaboration and systems planning to ... Read more

During the tumultuous stage of adolescence, the brain undergoes significant changes. During this period, adolescents are more likely to engage in risk-taking behaviours, seek out novel and new experiences, and emphasize peer friendships over family relationships. These neurological, hormonal, and behavioural shifts can leave educators, parents, and other caring adults feeling overwhelmed and reactive rather ... Read more

Walk-in clinics and other forms of quick access to services have become a key part of the landscape of service delivery in Ontario as outlined in the policy paper, “No More, No Less: Brief Mental Health Services for Children and Youth" (Duvall, J., Young, K.,Kays-Burden, A.,2012). Narrative therapy ideas and practices provide therapists with ways ... Read more

This training aims to explore how trauma impacts children and families, how to best support these clients to identify myriad traumatic responses and encourage healing in the family system. By the end of this training, participants will be able to recognize the effects of trauma in children and adolescents, understand the many manifestations of complex ... Read more

Intergenerational trauma continues to manifest and to be evident in our First Nation communities, and in Indigenous peoples and families despite not directly experiencing the trauma. This trauma, passed down, and in some cases, layered with the individual’s own trauma experiences, has a compounding effect on the individual/families and their wellbeing.   With timely and ... Read more

Join this transformative, evidenced-based, 2-hour training, that will uncover biases and shift perspectives towards people who use substances. Gain valuable insights into the negative effects of stigma and how this impacts everyone. Learn practical approaches to eliminate stigma in your professional and everyday life and explore the power of words by learning how to use ... Read more

Youth who are struggling with an addiction often resist attempts at intervention. While some youth are merely experimenting, others may have larger unmet needs that can lead to a negative pattern of use. This workshop provides a framework for responding to a variety of addictions, including those related to substances, gaming, internet, and pornography. Participants ... Read more

Dealing with issues related to mental health in the workplace can be challenging and difficult to navigate. It is essential that organizations have the capabilities to manage mental health because early identification and support typically leads to continued productivity and retention of employees. This workshop provides a roadmap to help managers participate in conversations with ... Read more

While research on homelessness in Black communities is limited, those who work in the homelessness sector are well aware of the overrepresentation of Black youth among youth who are experiencing ... Read more

This training is designed for clinical staff supporting clients living with the impacts of complex trauma. Complex trauma is the result of repeated experiences of adversity in childhood (physical, sexual, ... Read more

Critical incidents are situations that occur outside of our normal frame of reference and challenge us to understand and cope with what has happened. Critical Incident Group Debriefing (CIGD) is ... Read more