CMHA National Conference | September 14-16, 2011 | Kelowna, BC CMHA National Conference | September 14-16, 2011 | Kelowna, BC

TO REGISTER: CMHANationalConference.caor for more information: nationalconference2011@cmha.bc.ca

Other sessions include:

Peter Coleridge: National Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Mental Health Association, and has over 20 years of experience at the provincial, national and international levels in health promotion/population health, public policy,  public education, educational resource material development and training, planning, change management, and marketing and strategic communications.  He has extensive knowledge of mental health and mental illness, substance use, and a number of other inter-related health and social issues.

Nancy Mannix: Chair and Patron of the Norlien Foundation. The Foundation, through the Alberta Family Wellness Initiative, is focused on creating alignments between science, policy and practice in the areas of brain development and its connection to addiction in order to bring about effective, comprehensive and integrated services for Alberta families. 

Dr. Mike DeGagne: Executive Director of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation – a national aboriginal organization dedicated to addressing the legacy of Canada’s Indian Residential School system.  He has worked in the field of addiction and mental health for the past 25 years.

Mental Health & Human Rights - Panel Discussion: A discussion with Harvey Goldberg, Team Leader of Strategic Initiatives with the Canadian Human Rights Commission, and Nicole Chammartin, Project Leader of “Equality, Dignity and Inclusion: Legislation that Enhances Human Rights for People Living with Mental Illness” project.

...a session on Canada’s At Home-Chez Soi Project (on addressing homelessness & mental health), and more!

To find out about the rest of the conference line-up, subscribe to the e-alerts at www.cmhanationalconference.ca.

Location: Coast Capri Hotel, 1171 Harvey Avenue, Kelowna, BC

Registration: Early Bird $395 (deadline May 18); Regular $495

Website: CMHANationalConference.ca

Hotel Reservation: coasthotels.com or 1-250-860-6060

Group Rate: $120/night Comfort; $140 Superior; $160 Premium

To be eligible, please quote group code: GFC11813

CMHA National Conference | September 14-16, 2011 | Kelowna, BC CMHA National Conference | September 14-16, 2011 | Kelowna, BC

Emerging Excellent Practices | Tapping Technology | Embracing Diversity | Empowering Young People

...a movement away from stigma and discrimination. Join us in leading the way.

Norman Doidge, M.D., is a psychiatrist, psychoanalyst, researcher, author, essayist and poet. He is on the Research Faculty at Columbia University’s Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research in New York, and the University of Toronto’s Department of Psychiatry. He is the author of the New York Times bestselling book, “The Brain that Changes Itself”.The discovery of neuroplasticity, that our thoughts can change the structure and function of our brains, even into old age, is the most important breakthrough in our understanding of the brain in four hundred years. Dr. Norman Doidge will introduce principles we can all use to overcome brain limitations and explore the profound brain implications of the changing brain.

With depression rates soaring in the workplace, do we need a radical new way of providing mental health services to our employees? Once the founder and CEO of a multi-million dollar technology firm, Tod’s workload and always-on personality finally caught up with him and over the following years, he was crippled by a devastating depression and addiction — all the while struggling to appear to be productive, happy and healthy.

In this provocative keynote speech, Tod will reveal how this always-connected landscape has seduced all of us into endless multitasking and infinite email — all the while pretending that this is the best thing for “productivity.” In fact, this hyper-connected economy may be both destroying the productivity of workplaces and eroding the mental health of companies’ most valuable asset — their people. Tod will outline his own bold strategy for bringing mental health discussion out of the shadows in a way that will challenge us for years to come.

Tod Maffin, chief strategist at tMedia Strategies, is one of the country’s go-to commentators on the impact of technological change. One of Canada’s podcasting pioneers, Maffin’s blog is followed by thousands. He continues to report on technology trends on CBC Radio.

Dr. Martin Brokenleg consults worldwide and serves as Vice President of Reclaiming Youth International, providing training for individuals who work with youth at risk.  He holds a doctorate in psychology and is a graduate of the Episcopal Divinity School.  He is an Emeritus Professor and was most recently Director of Native Ministries and Professor of First Nations Theology and Ministry at the Vancouver School of Theology in Vancouver, British Columbia. 

For thirty years, Dr. Brokenleg was professor of Native American studies at Augustana College of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  He has also been a director of The Neighborhood Youth Corps, chaplain in a correctional setting, and has extensive experience as an alcohol counselor. Dr. Brokenleg has consulted and led training programs throughout North America, New Zealand, and South Africa.  He is the father of three children and an enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe practicing the culture of his Lakota people.

LCol Stéphane Grenier is the Peer Project Team Leader for the Mental Health Commission of Canada &  Special Advisor for Operational Stress Injury (OSI) for Canada’s National Defence.

Following deployment to Rwanda and a subsequent PTSD diagnosis, Stephane took a personal interest in the way the Canadian Forces was dealing with operational stress injuries. He researched the issue and developed concepts to help soldiers deal with what they had experienced while on operations abroad. He will share his own experiences, his research and consultation with veterans and clinicians and his work with peer support services.

Across Canada, there is a movement building. A movement towards better mental health for all...