Breakfast sponsored by Lundbeck

KEYNOTE PRESENTATION:

Peer-Based Mental Health Services: Giving Purpose to Lived Experience by Having Consumers Become Part of the Solution

Traditionally, mental health programs are created and managed by professionals and clinicians. In 2001, the Canadian Forces took an innovative approach to mental health in the workplace by appointing one of its own consumers to lead the development of non-clinical interventions. A nation-wide peer support program was created and six years later, a national mental health education program, centered on leveraging the lived experience of soldiers and veterans, was launched to shift attitudes and behaviours towards mental health problems. Now, on part-time assignment with the Mental Health Commission of Canada, LCol Grenier has been tasked with finding ways to expand on these peer based approaches for the benefit of the broader Canadian population. He will share with conference participants his experience of looking at mental health conditions through the eyes of consumers and adapting interventions using this paradigm. He will also illustrate how mental health education coupled with peer support initiatives can be a stepping-stone to help reverse the predicted trend in mental health. 

Presenter: LCol Stéphane Grenier, Operational Stress Injury Special Advisor, and Chief Military Personnel for National Defence; Project Team Leader for the Mental Health Commission of Canada

Keynote presentation made possible by Manulife Financial. [DOWNLOAD THE PRESENTATION ]

Living with Major Depression Disorders & Challenges in the Workplace Environment

Presenter: Dr. Thomas Ungar, Chief of Psychiatry and Medical Director Mental Health Program at North York General Hospital, and Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto.

This session made possible by Pfizer. [DOWNLOAD THE PRESENTATION ]

A Prescription for Productivity – Partnerships to Promote Mental Health in the workplace
Mental illness poses one of the most serious health challenges not only in Canada but worldwide. An estimated seven million Canadians will experience a mental health problem this year. And a recent study by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) found that mental illness is associated with more lost work days than any other chronic condition, costing the Canadian economy $51 billion annually in lost productivity, double the cost of a physical illness. This session will provide you with insights about innovative new medicines as part of an integrated solution along with education, counselling and prevention to reduce the burden of mental illness in human and financial terms.

Presenter: Allan O'Dette, Director, External Relations, Policy & National Private Markets, GlaxoSmithkline Inc. and Chair Rx&D Private Payers Subcommittee.

This session made possible by Rx&D. [DOWNLOAD THE PRESENTATION ]

Mental Health: An Important Factor in Absence & Disability Management

Mental health issues are one of the leading causes of nonoccupational disability claims and one of the fastest rising disability claims categories in Canada. These types of issues can represent a huge challenge for traditional health management programs, and recovery and return to work can be delayed significantly, even when mental health issues are not the primary reason for absence. Learn effective strategies for the prevention and early intervention of mental health issues before they result in absence and disability, and strategies for successful employee recovery and return to work when absence and/or disability occurs.

Presenter: Karen Seward, Executive Vice President, Business Development and Marketing, Shepell·fgi

This session made possible by Shepell·fgi. [DOWNLOAD THE PRESENTATION ]

Closing Remarks and Forum Concludes

Buffet Lunch

For more information, contact Catherine Lummack at 416.764.3958

This page was last updated: November 1, 2010