Academy in School Mental Health As an educator your aspiration is to be a leader, role model, sounding board, voice of encouragement and mentor to the hundreds of students that cross your path. Lately though, you are facing more and more instances of students who aren’t able to be active participants in their learning because of emotional or mental health concerns and this may leave you feeling stressed, overwhelmed, fatigued, under supported, ill informed or powerless. Often, these and other behaviours are linked to diagnosed and undiagnosed mental health challenges. Teachers can play a very important and supportive ongoing role in the lives of students struggling with mental health problems – when provided with training, tools and techniques that make sense to educators and students. The Academy in School Mental Health was conceived by a team of experts that wanted to offer a forum for educators to get solutions to these and other concerns around school mental health.
This summer workshop will provide you with: A practical understanding of the most prevalent adolescent mental health disorders Discussions of strategies for learning and social success In classroom applications of effective tools and techniques An understanding of how to talk to youth and parents about mental health We’ll be providing opportunities to engage in discussion with leading mental health professionals, teachers, youth with lived mental health experiences and a network of colleagues from coast-tocoast that will become a strong resource for you.
Academy in School Mental Health Setting the Stage Discuss the role of positive mental health in learning and how educators can enhance positive mental health. Understand mental disorders and signs of early detection to help improve the current and future lives of students.
Dr. Stan Kutcher, MD, FRCPC, FCAHS
Learn how to evaluate scientific research and media reports related to health care.
Medication Use and Abuse Review the good, the bad, and the ugly of psychotropic medications. Explore the process of medication selection and treatment monitoring. Participate in a dialogue about psychotropic medications for school-aged children. Dr. David Gardner, PharmD, MSc
VENUE: Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia MEALS: Continental breakfast, snacks, and lunch provided DATE: July 11-12, 2011 or July 14-15, 2011 DAY 1: 7:30am – 5:30pm DAY 2: 8:00 am - 5:30pm FEE: $250.00/per educator
Finding Zen: Anxiety Strategies for the Classroom Gain an understanding of anxiety and anxiety disorders in children and teens. Learn how to recognize anxiety in children and teens. Identify skills and strategies to manage anxiety in a classroom and school-setting. Dr. Alexa Bagnell, MD, FRCPC
ACCOMMODATIONS: Risley Hall or Howe Hall: Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia For bookings, call 1.888.271.9222 or email accommodations@dal.ca. Lord Nelson Hotel & Suites: Halifax, Nova Scotia For bookings, call 1-800-565-2020 or visit www.lordnelsonhotel.ca.
Riding the Rollercoaster: Mood Disorders 101 Understand the basic causes and treatment of mood disorders. Learn to recognize the signs of a mood disorder in your students and how you can help. Learn about how mood disorders can affect performance and some typical strategies to assist students with their learning as they recover from a mood disorder. Dr. Suzanne Zinck, MD, FRCPC
To register, contact Jeff O’Neill slfc@iwk.nshealth.ca (902) 233-7692 or visit
TEENMENTALHEALTH.ORG
Academy in School Mental Health When Everything Seems Unreal: Psychosis at School Review the history of psychosis and psychotic disorders, current definitions and symptoms. Know the markers that help identify youth at risk for psychosis and psychotic disorders. Discuss the importance of early identification and treatment of youth with psychosis and psychotic disorders. Dr. Sabina Abidi, MD, FRCPC
Let’s Talk: Opening the Doors for Discussion Examine positive communication and collaborate strategies for working with parents of children with mental health difficulties. Explore ways to discuss the special needs of children with their parents and caregivers.
Dr. Alan McLuckie, MSW, RSW
Identify the ways in which educators can be involved in the assessment and treatment of child and youth mental health difficulties.
Eating Disorders: Harm vs. Help Understand the complexities of eating disorders Get advice on what to do if you suspect a student is suffering from an eating disorder.
Lunch & Learn Opportunities with:
Laing House
www.lainghouse.org and
MyHealth Magazine www.info.myhealthmagazine.net plus
Networking Opportunities with Academy Presenters Daily breakout strategy sessions with educators that specialize in mental health and addictions Daily Q&A and Panel Discussions Evening Wine and Dine opportunities
Discuss what works in prevention and what is potentially harmful. Dr. Stephanie Casey, MD, FRCPC
Sit Still and Learn: ADHD and Disruptive Behaviours Understand ADHD and its link to the development of Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Conduct Disorder. Understand management strategies and the importance of supporting healthy behaviour as well as the use of accountability training.
Dr. Wade Junek, MD, FRCPC
Learn about the important role that teachers play in identification and management of these disorders.
Dr. Penny Corkum, BSc, MA, PhD
TEENMENTALHEALTH.ORG
Academy in School Mental Health Judy has over twenty years as an administrator and teaching children & youth in a mental health environment. She has worked for the past several years in the area of school mental health.
Judy Elliot, BA, B.Ed, MA
Classroom Strategies From the Frontlines
Nick currently works as a therapeutic teacher with the IWK Health Centre Adolescent Day Treatment Service. Nick mainly works with students that have been diagnosed with oppositional, conduct and/or anxiety disorders. Many of these students also present with learning difficulties. Nick Cardone, B.Ed
Kathryn mainly works with students that have been diagnosed with ADHD, Disruptive Behaviour Disorders, Mood Disorders and Anxiety. Kathryn holds a position as an Externalizing Behaviours Teacher at the Adolescent Centre for Treatment at the IWK Health Centre.
Will help educators better understand and to provide strategies to work with students with Mental Health disorders; Will provide strategies on how to organize a healthy school environment for students that have a mental health disorder; Will provide communication strategies to work with administration and parents of students experiencing a mental health disorder.
Kathryn White, BA, B,Ed
Allyson has taught in a mental health environment for over 15 years, working with a wide range of children who have both externalizing and internalizing mental health conditions. Allyson holds a position as an Internalizing Behaviours Teacher at the Adolescent Centre for Treatment at the IWK Health Centre. Allyson MacKay, BA, B.Ed
Denise works as a therapeutic teacher and for the Compass Program (formerly Children’s Response Program) at the IWK Health Centre. Denise has worked with children under 13 years of age diagnosed with Disruptive Behaviour Disorders, ADHD, Anxiety Disorder, and with Severe Learning Disabilities. Denise Murnaghan, BA, BScOT, MA
To register, contact Jeff O’Neill slfc@iwk.nshealth.ca (902) 233-7692 or visit
TEENMENTALHEALTH.ORG
Academy in School Mental Health Presented by: Sun Life Financial Chair in Adolescent Mental Health
Conference Schedule Day 1 7:30 am - 8:45 am 8:45 am - 9:15 am 9:15 am - 10:15 am 10:15 am - 10:45 am 10:45 am - 11:15 am 11:15 am - 11:15 am 11:45 am - 12:00 pm 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm 7:00 pm
Registration & Breakfast Dr. Stan Kutcher Setting the Stage Dr. David Gardner Medications: The Basics Break Dine around sign up Yifeng Wei Pathways to Care Model & curriculum Guide Review Christina Carew Resources Jessica Wishart Taking It Global Lunch MyHealth Magazine Presentation Dr. Alexa Bagnell Finding Zen: Anxiety Strtegies for the Classroom Dr. Suzanne Zinck Riding the Rollercoaster: Mood Disorders 101 Break Teachers Classroom Strategies from the Frontline Panel Questions, Discussion and Wrap-Up Dine Around Halifax
Day 2 8:00 am - 8:30 am 8:30 am - 9:00 am 9:00 am - 10:00 am 10:00 am - 10:30 am 10:30 am - 11:15 pm 11:15 am - 12:00 pm 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Breakfast Dr. Stan Kutcher Dr. Alan McLuckie Break Dr. Corkkum Dr. Junek Lunch Dr. Stephanie Casey Dr. Sabina Abidi Break Teachers Panel
Review First Day’s Activities Let’s Talk: Openginthe Doors for Discussion Sit Still and Learn: ADHD Sit Still and Learn: Disruptive Behaviours Laing House - Guest Speaker Eating Disorders: Harm vs. Help When Everything Seems Unreal: Psychosis at School Classroom Strategies from the Frontline Questions, Discussion and Wrap-Up
Academy in School Mental Health Presented by: Sun Life Financial Chair in Adolescent Mental Health
REGISTRATION/INFORMATION DESK Please check into the academy and receive your conference name tag by visiting our registration desk on the first day between 7:30am-8:30am. Enjoy daily a continental breakfast, lunch, and snacks. Please refer to the academy schedule for timing. In the event of an emergency during the academy please phone 902.222.6484.
PRE –ACADEMY YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH KNOWLEDGE ASSESSMENT Please complete our online knowledge assessment prior to arriving at the academy by visiting https://surveys.dal.ca/opinio/s?s=12101. Once you have completed the assessment, you will be able to download handouts of speaker notes for free. We encourage you to bring these handouts with you to the Academy sessions. Additional copies of these handouts will be available at the registration desk for a fee of $15.00. MAP OF ACADEMY FACILITIES A.
Accommodations are available at Risley Hall at Dalhousie University. Adress: 1233 LeMarchant St., Halifax NS
B.
The academy is being held daily at Dalhousie University Sir Charles Tupper Building (Theatre B), Address: 5849 University Ave; Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
C.
Parking is available in the IWK underground parking facility at a daily rate of $16.00 per vehicle.
D.
Parking is also available in the South Street outdoor public parking facility at a daily rate of $9.00 per vehicle.