Friday June 17

9:00am – 10:30am

Concurrent Sessions

F1: AM
Title: Dealing with Challenging Crisis Calls
Format: Presentation
Presenter: Jason Barr, R.N., CPMHN Director, Client Services and Program Development – Canadian Mental Health Association Halton Branch

In this session we will present various types of challenging crisis calls, including those from callers who are intoxicated or psychotic as well as frequent callers. Techniques for de-escalation and communicating boundaries will be discussed.

Learning objectives:

1. Participants will review how to identify types of challenging calls and callers.
2. To gain increased knowledge to use strategies when manage difficult situations.
3. To increase staff skills for debriefing and coping with personal emotions and reactions.

F2: AM
Title: Getting Connected to Muslim Youth
Format: Presentation
Suzanne Muir, Education and Training Coordinator – Naseeha Muslim Youth Helpline

Naseeha Muslim Youth Helpline receives over 13,000 calls per year and successfully assists young people and their families with a myriad of social and emotional issues.  The internet has become a place where Muslim youth can seek support and at the same time it is a potential danger zone.  We will explore the common issues that Muslim Youth experience in Canada. In this session we will explore the social-emotional needs of Muslim Youth in Canada and the US who reach out to Naseeha Muslim Youth Helpline for support in times of crisis.

Learning Objectives:

1. To develop a deeper understanding of how global events, terrorism and islamophobia are impacting young people
2. Explore ways to better understand the cultural and faith needs of Muslim Youth in accessing crisis supports. 
3. To share new technological innovations that are being developed to help support Muslim youth with their relationship and sexual health questions, avoiding radicalization, responding to islamophobia and developing positive strategies for wellness.

F3: AM
Title: Creating a Police-Hospital Transition Framework in Ontario
Format: Presentation
Presenters: Uppala Chandrasekera, MSW, RSW – Director, Public Policy- Canadian Mental Health Association – Ontario Division.
Chief John Pare, M.O.M., London Police Service
Jenna Hitchcox, BHSc., CAPM

This presentation will provide a detailed overview of the work that is happening in Ontario around police-hospital transitions for individuals apprehended under Ontario’s Mental Health Act. The presentation will begin with outlining the work that the Human Services and Justice Coordinating Committee has completed to date on this issue (including the HSJCC Info Guide), and then describe the framework and action plan that has been recently developed to address this issue across the province. The framework and action plan has been created by a Task Force of police officers, emergency service workers, hospitals, community agencies, patient advocates, legal professionals and police associations to provide the tools and resources for communities in Ontario to improve police-hospital transitions. The aim of this work is to reduce wait times for officers in emergency departments and improve experiences for individuals experiencing a crisis. The project has been a partnership effort between the Human Services and Justice Coordinating Committee Network, the Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario Division, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services.

Learning objectives:

1. Discuss the value in improving police-hospital transitions in Ontario based on the current needs of the system and Ontarians.
2. Understand Ontario’s provincial framework on Police-Hospital Transitions.
3. Describe and use the 5 tools of the provincial framework on police-hospital transitions (Police-Hospital Committee Terms of Reference Template; Police-Hospital Transition Protocol Template; Guide to the Stages of Transition for individual experiencing a crisis; Sample Police-Hospital Referral Form, Transfer for Custody Form Template)

F4: AM
Title: Trans* Specific Crisis Intervention: Creating positive spaces and supporting trans* initiatives
Presenters: Toby B. D. Wiggins, Canadian East Lead- Trans LifeLine, Beckham Ronaghan, LGBTQ+ Youth Coordinator- Positive Space Network

This session will discuss challenges and access to crisis services for LGBTQ+ youth and adults. We will here from the Canadian East Lead for the Trans LifeLine crisis service and its development, challenges and solutions. Beckham will speak to making your crisis line and mental health services more accessible to trans* youth, and the collaborative partnership between Positive Space Network and Reach Out Centre for Kids (ROCK)

Learning Objectives:

1. To gain knowledge and connection to a new trans* crisis line
2. To develop strategies to making your crisis work and mental health service more trans accessible.
3. To gain knowledge and understanding of how to support trans* individuals in your region.