Mental Health & Wellness Forum

Boyd will talk personally and frankly about surviving and understanding mental health and related work injuries from a research and deeply personal perspective. He’ll share some of his experience dealing with mental health challenges serving on the frontlines of law enforcement and more specifically, will explain the challenges around anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and related topics that are often portrayed incorrectly by the media. Boyd aims to provide information through knowledge-sharing and experience, but most of all, wants to provide hope to those who may be struggling with their mental health.
 
Presented by:
Boyd Merrill – Lead Presenter/Owner, Think About It Productions Inc. & Retired Staff Sargent, RCMP

How does stigma affect our understanding or misunderstanding of mental health? How does it impact those who may be suffering? In this session, we'll explore the role that stigma plays as a barrier in being able to speak openly and honestly about mental health. Learn about the impact certain language can have on being able to understand and address mental health challenges and accessing the right support; understand the relationship between stigma, mental health and mental illness; and discover strategies for decreasing stigmatizing language and promoting a stigma-free space. 

Presented by:
Emily Anne Opala – Bilingual Mental Health Trainer and Facilitator, Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Ontario

This panel discussion will examine the different aspects of effectively building a positive workplace culture. Municipal employees are at the heart of the services that communities deliver to their residents - in the first part of this discussion, learn how York Region is committed to ensuring a psychologically safe workplace and building workforce resilience through strategic employee policies, programs, training and benefits. Then, understand how municipal leaders can provide psychological safety within their teams. For the City of Cornwall, they are seeing the need to develop this within their leadership and the need to continually build resiliency skills throughout employee's individual careers. Discover how they are re-examining Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) to suit a new work climate. Lastly, discover how you can take ownership over your own mental fitness and day-to-day job duties as municipal staff member - we'll explore strategies for staying present in the moment to help you find the right balance between work and family life. We'll also explore ways you can protect your mental health so you can focus on being your best self. 

Presented by:
Brittany Dunlop – Manager, Wellness & Benefits, York Region
Chris Wray – Chief Administrative Officer, Township of Black River-Matheson
Geoff Clarke – General Manager, Corporate Services, City of Cornwall

As a result of the pandemic and provincial service transformation/modernization requirements, municipalities were forced to adapt to unprecedented change at a rapid pace. With a strain on internal and external resources and a workplace culture that was already struggling, the mental health and wellness of staff and the community became a primary concern. Join staff from the City of Brantford’s Community Services & Social Development Commission to learn about Brantford’s multi-faceted approach that addresses the critical need to improve overall wellness for staff, clients and the community.
 
Presented by:
Karen Babcock – Manager, Family & Income Stability, City of Brantford
Becky Lala – Manager, Family & Income Stability, City of Brantford
Edward Darling – Learning & Development Coordinator, City of Brantford

What does work-life balance and well-being even mean in today's environment? Let's increase our awareness about how stressors transfer between our worlds and the negative contagion effect that happens when we are not choosing to strengthen our mental fitness and take intentional steps for our well-being. During this panel discussion, we'll explore these important topics as well as intergenerational workplaces and inclusivity in the workplace, stress management and building resiliency when facing multiple external pressures.
 
Presented by:
Lorena Krasnai Caprar, MA, CAPP, CHRL, CMM III – Manager Human Resources / Health & Safety, County of Brant
Terri-Ann Witwicki – Manager, Program Integrity and Education, York Region
Shivi Darubra (Jawanda), MPA, PMP(c) – Project Manager, City of Vaughan

The right to disconnect legislation is the result of the realization that organizations, leaders and employees have a shared responsibility to develop a working model that allows each individual to take time away from work, especially in a new world where the lines between work and home are often blurred. This new legislation also pushes companies to recognize that, sometimes, a culture change is needed to strengthen the existing work environment. The session will focus on examples, methods, tools, and best practices that are already in place at some organizations to support this right to disconnect for all employees, including choosing the best messaging and email settings to effectively implement this new mandate. We will also discuss the important role that people leaders have to play in implementing new guidelines – this cultural shift must start with training managers and leaders to set their own boundaries and encourage others to do the same. What else can we do today to help strike a healthy balance in our workplaces and translate this bill into action in a safe and positive way?

Presented by:
Roee Ben-Eli – Director, Strategic Programs, TELUS Health Virtual Care