Upcoming Events
Caregiver Lunch and Unlearn: Autistic Adults & Mental Health: What is mindfulness, really?
Thursday, November 17, 12 noon to 1 pm.
Organized, Developed & Facilitated by Caregivers
Join us for the second of six sessions of interactive unlearning of topics relevant to caregivers. Unlearning is not about teaching people that what they know is wrong. We aim to provide an empowering space to examine what we think we know & consider different perspectives.
Lunch and unlearn: What is mindfulness, really?
Alongside Yona Lunsky (Director of the Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre, caregiver, & mindfulness researcher), caregivers will explore:
- What is the concept of mindfulness & what it is not
- Things to consider about mindfulness-programs
Metabolic Health in Mental Illness: Why is this important, and what we can do about it?
Tuesday, November 22, 12 noon to 1 pm.
The talk will focus on the many ways metabolic health is important in the context of mental illness. It will review evidence demonstrating how intertwined and bidirectional these relationships are, and discuss how addressing this overlap can lead to improved quality of life and newer therapeutic strategies. New findings and initiatives at the Metabolic Clinic at CAMH to address this problem will also be discussed.
Dr. Mahavir Agarwal is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto and a Clinician-Scientist in the Schizophrenia Division at the Centre for Addiction at Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto.
Sleep and Mental Health Series: Circadian Rhythms
Wednesday, November 23, 12 noon to 1 pm.
Join Drs. Zachary Adirim and Michael Mak to learn about your internal body clock and how it regulates our mood and bodily processes. We will review the possible effects to your mind and body if your internal body clock is out of sync, and learn tips to ensure that your internal body clock is synchronized with the natural environment for better health.
Our Presenters:
Dr. Michael Mak (he/him) is a sleep medicine specialist and staff psychiatrist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Dr. Mak is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto.
Zachary Adirim (he/him) is a senior psychiatry resident physician at the University of Toronto.
What is ‘AI’ and what is it doing in psychiatry?
November 24, 12 noon to 1 pm.
Join us as we introduce patients and families to the emerging role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in psychiatry. We will begin by busting some myths about what the future of AI might look like and then provide an overview of how these new tools are being used to advance discovery and improve care at CAMH. We will also learn more about how researchers at CAMH are grappling with both the possible benefits and risks of these new tools. We will conclude with a brief discussion about what this might mean for patients and families at CAMH.
Presenters:
Dr. Laura Sikstrom (she/her) is a project scientist and medical anthropologist at the Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics.
Renee Rosenmann (she/her) is an Addictions Counselor, Community Service Worker and Mental Health Support Worker as well as a CAMH Lived Experience Research Advisor and an advocate for the homeless.
Dr. Nelson Shen (he/him) is a project scientist for the Digital Health Interventions unit within the Centre for Complex Interventions and is also an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (University of Toronto).
Supporting a loved one with schizophrenia: Cognitive Adaptation Training for families
Tuesday, November 29, 12 noon to 1 pm.
Cognitive Adaptation Training (CAT) is a practical, evidence-based approach for families and caregivers of adults living with schizophrenia. In this interactive workshop you will gain strategies and tools to help your loved one build independence in taking care of themselves, their spaces, and participating in their communities.
Our presenter:
Erin AuCoin (she/her) is a Registered Occupational Therapist working in the Cognitive Adaptation Training (CAT) service at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.
Ask the Experts: Mental health and Stroke
Wednesday, November 30, 12 noon to 1 pm.
While the physical impacts of stroke are often discussed, many people also experience changes in their mental health after suffering a stroke. This can include symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as others. Some of the symptoms may be related to biological changes in the brain, while others are likely more related to the psychological effect of stroke. The presenters will talk about the impact of stroke on people's mental health, as well as ways of coping and managing.
Our Presenters:
Dr. Kathleen Sheehan (she/her) is an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto Department of Psychiatry and a clinician-investigator with the medical and inpatient psychiatry programs at the University Health Network Centre for Mental Health.
Dr. Aleksandra Pikula (she/her) is an Associate Professor of Medicine (Neurology) at the University of Toronto, a Clinician-Investigator at Krembil Brain Institute, Director of Stroke Neurology Research at UHN and Co-Director of Women's Neurology Fellowship at U of T.
Marianne Fedunkiw (she/her) was born and lives in Toronto. After graduate school, Marianne worked as a reporter and editor at the London Free Press, The Globe and Mail, and was part of the team that started The Discovery Channel in Canada.
