Conference Mission:
Hope and connectedness are central to reducing the impact of suicide in our communities. Through partnerships and open dialogue, this conference aims to enhance understanding of suicide and suicide prevention and motivate communities to take action on a local level. This conference will inspire people to act as we learn from one another and acknowledge that we all have a role to play in reducing the impact of suicide.
About the Conference:
During this two-day event, the conference will mobilize any and all individuals who share a common interest in promoting life and preventing suicide. As the premiere suicide prevention knowledge exchange event in Canada, this conference will bring together multiple voices, learning from and sharing with one another, including researchers, front-line clinicians, survivors of suicide loss, survivors of suicide attempts and family and friends who have been affected by suicide. With a focus on informed-based best practices and research, we will provide a forum for diverse perspectives on the current state of information and future directions in suicide prevention, intervention and postvention.
Keynote addresses and selected presentations will offer simultaneous translation in French or English, otherwise presentations will be in English.
Keynote Speakers:
Brian L. Mishara
Brian Mishara is the Founder of the Centre for Research and Intervention on Suicide and Euthanasia (renamed after the adoption of the Quebec law on medical assistance in dying) and has been director of the CRISE since 1996. He is Professor in the Psychology Department at the University of Quebec since 1979. Internationally renowned researcher in the field of suicidology, Brian Mishara has written many books on different topics, e.g. ageing and medication consumption as well as suicide and euthanasia.
Chief Eugene Hart
Eugene Hart was born and raised in the Innu community of Sheshatshiu. During his 16 year career with Innu Education, Eugene held a number of key positions that gave him the ability to facilitate a better relationship between the education system and community members. For a period of time Eugene held a management position at the Charles J. Treatment Centre, then was a community service worker with CYFS. It was this experience that gave him a full view of how the system of social services interacts with the community of Sheshatshiu and how the people interact and view it. This experience has shaped his knowledge and has made him advocate on parents behalf for reunification and stressing the need for a greater understanding of community and culture when applying these programs. It was in this spirit that gave Eugene the inspiration to engage the community directly by establishing the Voices of our Children Committee in 2004. This committee was established to work within the community to address and prevent youth suicide. Eugene made his first foray into politics for a position on the Innu Nation Board where he was first elected in 2012 and re-elected in 2014. Wanting to do a better job for the community Eugene decided to run for Chief of Sheshathshiu. During Eugene’s tenure as Chief he’s had many successes, but the one he is most proud of is the advocacy work he and his council have been able to accomplish on behalf of the children taken out of the community and put in care. This advocacy has led to a transition program that will allow for the children to stay in the community and allow them to stay in touch with their language, culture and their education. Eugene is happily married to his wife Valerie and they have been raising their 3 children (one of which is a foster child) with a focus to be proud of their aboriginal heritage while stressing the importance of health and education in their lives.
Simon Hatcher
Simon Hatcher is currently a Full Professor of Psychiatry at The University of Ottawa. He did his medical training in the UK and he worked for 18 years in Auckland, New Zealand. His main research interests include suicide, self-harm, psychotherapies, psychiatry in the general hospital setting and e-therapies. He has been the principal investigator in several large trials of non-pharmacological interventions in people who present to hospital with intentional self-harm. He provided the clinical input into the John Kirwan Journal program www.depression.org.nz . Currently he is based clinically at The Royal Ottawa Hospital providing services in the downtown homeless shelters and working in the Liaison Psychiatry service at The Ottawa General Hospital.
Sister Elizabeth Davis
Sister Elizabeth Davis is the leader of the Sisters of Mercy of Newfoundland and Labrador. She has worked in health care administration with responsibility for the provision of mental health services in acute care, chronic care and long term-care. She is also Co-Chair of the Board of The Gathering Place, a community centre providing service to persons who are homeless or without adequate social support.
Schedule (program details to follow):
October 31st --
4:30-7:30pm: Registration
6:30-10:00pm: Meet & Greet
November 1st --
8:00 am: Registration
8:30am-5:30pm: Presentations
9:00am: Keynote Address by Dr Brian L. Mishara
During Lunch: CASP Annual General Meeting
4:00pm: Keynote Address by Chief Eugene Hart
Evening: Gala & Silent Auction Fundraiser
November 2nd --
8:00am: Registration
8:30am-5:30pm: Presentations
9:00am: Keynote Address by Dr Simon Hatcher
During Lunch: Persons with Lived Experience Event
4:00pm: Keynote Address by Soeur Elizabeth
Conference Themes:
Presentations have been divided into three categories:
- Prevention, Intervention, Postvention and Life Promotion
- Research, Policy or Practice
- Specific population focus, or intersectional analysis
Prevention, Intervention and Postvention (Hope, Help, and Healing) are the three areas of focus when working in the area of suicide. They can be understood as the before, during and after experiences of thoughts of suicide, attempts or death.
About the Pre-conference:
PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONAL: Engaging with the Challenges of Suicidal Behaviours
The prevention of death by suicide is extremely valuable for maintaining a healthy population. Among our public safety personnel (e.g., correctional workers, firefighters, paramedics, police) and others who strive to keep the population safe and healthy, there is growing interest in understanding the breadth and depth of challenges they face, particularly with respect to suicidal behaviours (i.e., thoughts, planning, actions). The multifaceted workshop will begin by showcasing the recent growth in the published research on public safety personnel and suicidal behaviours, as well as pending opportunities for further work – particularly in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Presenters will speak to research and recommendations that can be derived for public safety personnel from work done with the Canadian military and veterans, and therein provide insight into recognizing when people are struggling. In the afternoon, a modular training session focused on managing suicidal behaviours and creating awareness among public safety personnel will be offered to workshop participants. The training will be based on the latest version of the Road to Mental Readiness (R2MR) from the Department of National Defense.
October 31st ---
9:30 – Lunch: Presentations
Lunch – 4:00: R2MR training
Delegate Fees:
Registration fees are non-refundable but are transferable.
Delegate fees must be paid to complete your registration. Early Bird pricing applies if paid by September 30th.
You may pay now online once you have completed your registration form. Our site uses the PayPal system.
After September 30th, you can also mail us your payment by cheque, by selecting "Invoice Me". Be sure to send no later than October 15th: P.O. Box 53082, RPO Rideau Centre, Ottawa ON K1N 1C5.
| |
EARLY BIRD
Until Sept. 30th |
REGULAR
After Sept. 30th |
Participant --
Pre-conference + Conference + Gala
|
$535
|
$570 |
Conference and Gala
|
$445 |
$490 |
Pre-conference and Conference
|
$430 |
$475
|
Conference only
|
$350 |
$395 |
Student or Volunteer - Conference only
|
$300 |
$300
|
Pre-conference only
|
$100 |
$100 |
Gala only
|
$95 |
$95 |
| Participant - Single Day - November 1st |
$199 |
$199 |
| Participant - Single Day - November 2nd |
$199 |
$199 |
Student pricing available with proof of student status (ex: ID card) or proof of sponsorship from an organization (ex: letter indicating lived experience of participant).
Accommodations:
Map: www.google.ca/maps/place/Sheraton+Hotel+Newfoundland
Conference delegates are offered a special rate of $179.00 per room (single/double).
Please use the hotels in-house reservation office by emailing [email protected] or by calling 1-709-726-4980 and dialing "0" to ask to speak with reservations. Mention being part of the CASP 2018 group
Reservations through the central Marriott website will not be given the group discount.
Travel:
Three airlines service St. John’s International Airport (YYT):
West Jet >
Air Canada >
Porter >
The Sheraton Newfoundland does not provide shuttle transportation to or from the airport. However, taxi services are available at an average cost of $25.
More details >
Contact us with questions or for more information by emailing [email protected]
