Understanding Adolescent Brain Development,
Depression and Suicide: A workshop for families and mental health professionals
Keynote Speaker:
Dr. Stanley Kutcher, MD, FRCPC full bio
Dr. Kutcher is an internationally-renowned expert in adolescent mental health; a national and international leader in mental health research, advocacy, training, policy, and health services; and holds the Sun Life Financial Chair in Adolescent Mental Health. The Sun Life Financial Chair in Adolescent Mental Health is a partnership between Dalhousie University, Sun Life Financial and the IWK Health Centre. The Chair works to lead, foster and promote a world-class research, academic and clinical program by collaborating with health care providers, policy makers, schools, the business community, non-profit organizations and the general public to advance the understanding of mental illness and to improve the disability caused by mental disorders in young people.
Morning Presentations by Dr. Kutcher include:
The Teenage Brain: What's Going On?
In this keynote speech, Dr. Kutcher will answer the questions: How does the brain develop during adolescence? How does brain development affect normal teen behaviour? And how can our knowledge of brain development be used to inform societal and parental interaction with teens?
Understanding Adolescent Depression and Suicide
In this session, Dr. Kutcher will examine the nature of teen depression, how it expresses itself, who is affected and common myths associated with teen mood and depression. The latest research on prevention and how to effectively address teen suicide issues will be reviewed.
Mirror, Mirror - Drama presentation
Valerie Methot, Director, Youth Theatre Action Group and the Roundhouse Youth Theatre Project bio and Mark Rayter Co-producer and Manager, Child and Youth Mental Health Services bio. Mirror, Mirror is an original drama produced by Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) and the Youth Theatre Action Group that raises the curtain on the sensitive subject of teen depression.
Afternoon Break-out Session Options (choice of one session):
Session A: Ideas for Parents and Families - How to Support Your Teen
Presented by: Keli Anderson, Executive Director, The F.O.R.C.E. Society for Kids' Mental Health bio, Ian Ross, Executive Director, Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Centre of BC bio and Judy Davies, Child and Adolescent Suicide Clinician, Vancouver Coastal Health bio.
This session designed specifically for parents and family members will look at supports and resources available to family members, ways parents can support their teen, what to do if your teen refuses treatment, prevention strategies, how to work with mental health professionals and how to navigate the system.
Session B: Research Based Treatment Options for Adolescent Depression and Suicide
Presented by Dr. Jana Davidson, Medical Director, BC Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Addiction Programs.
This session, designed for mental health professionals and other professionals who work closely with adolescents, will examine current best practice treatment options for young people experiencing depression and suicidal behaviours.
Session C: Assessing Adolescent Depression and Suicide Risk
Presented by Dr. Stanley Kutcher, Sun Life Financial Chair in Adolescent Mental Health bio
Designed for health care providers and other professionals who work closely with adolescents, this session will offer training on how to apply a practical evaluation tool developed to assist in the identification of young people who are at risk for depression and suicide. Appropriate follow up to assessment, intervention and how to best work with families will also be covered. Registration for this session is limited.
Workshop Learning Objectives:
- To understand the signs and symptoms of adolescent depression and learn about support/treatment strategies for families and professionals.
- Build awareness around community services available to families and professionals.
- Learn about treatment options for young people experiencing depression and suicidal behaviours.
- Identify appropriate strategies or tools that can be incorporated into daily life/operations to support young people experiencing depression.
- Strengthen relationships between families and service providers to promote coordinated, seamless and effective treatments for young people.
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