Changes

<h2>10:30-11:55pm PST - Morning Breakout Rooms (3 concurrent sessions)</h2>

<h2>10:30-11:55pm PST - Morning Breakout Rooms (3 concurrent sessions)</h2>

'''<p style="color:#4682b4; font-size:large;"><strong>Theme: The Importance of Informed Communication Approaches</strong></p>'''

'''<p style="color:#4682b4; font-size:large;"><strong>Theme: The Importance of Informed Communication Approaches</strong></p>'''

<h3>1. Dealing with Mental Health Injuries and Brain Trauma</h3>  

<h3>A. Dealing with Mental Health Injuries and Brain Trauma</h3>  

Two federal government employees will share their lived experiences, one resulting in a traumatic brain injury after a fall down a cliff and another dealing with a mental health injury from a traumatic prison incident and cumulative stress. We will hear what happened, how it affected them, how they recovered, their transition back to the workplace, what helped and what didn’t, and how they are doing now. Joining the panel will be a neuro-rehab-based chiropractor and director of the Canadian Brain Performance Clinic, as well as an occupational therapist who will speak about brain injuries from a medical perspective – what happens to the brain, the care needed, treatments available, how to advocate for yourself or someone else, the recovery process, resuming regular activities<ins>,</ins> and successfully transitioning back into the workplace.

Two federal government employees will share their lived experiences, one resulting in a traumatic brain injury after a fall down a cliff and another dealing with a mental health injury from a traumatic prison incident and cumulative stress. We will hear what happened, how it affected them, how they recovered, their transition back to the workplace, what helped and what didn’t, and how they are doing now. Joining the panel will be a neuro-rehab-based chiropractor and director of the Canadian Brain Performance Clinic, as well as an occupational therapist who will speak about brain injuries from a medical perspective – what happens to the brain, the care needed, treatments available, how to advocate for yourself or someone else, the recovery process, resuming regular activities<ins>,</ins> and successfully transitioning back into the workplace.

<h3>2. Does Indians Have Feelings: A Panel Discussion</h3>

<h3>B. Does Indians Have Feelings: A Panel Discussion</h3>

*Mikelle Sasakamoose, Senior Policy Advisor to the Director on Reconciliation, Indigenous Relations, Transport Canada (moderator)

*Mikelle Sasakamoose, Senior Policy Advisor to the Director on Reconciliation, Indigenous Relations, Transport Canada (moderator)

*Kelly Larkin, Regional Program Manager – Enhanced Maritime Situational Awareness (EMSA), Transport Canada, Pacific Region  

*Kelly Larkin, Regional Program Manager – Enhanced Maritime Situational Awareness (EMSA), Transport Canada, Pacific Region  

<h3>3. Systemic and Anti-Black Racism Workshop - Black Don't Crack: The Pressure of White Institutions on Black Mental Health</h3>

<h3>C. Systemic and Anti-Black Racism Workshop - Black Don't Crack: The Pressure of White Institutions on Black Mental Health</h3>

Both within and outside of the workplace, racism and other systems of oppression have measurable and intangible effects on Black people. How can we as leaders of all races begin to understand those impacts? How do we make tangible changes in our spheres of influence to create safe environments for Black people to thrive? What care do we need to take as Black people to ensure that we can flourish despite working in white institutions? Discussion in this breakout will explore how to support and model commitment to anti-racism with a focus on practices to address the toll of racism, and in particular anti-Black racism, on employees at all levels. Content is geared towards the emerging and developing learner and may include systemic oppression, intersectional oppression, mental health outcomes for Black workers, and practical tips for championing equity, diversity, and inclusion within spheres of influence.

Both within and outside of the workplace, racism and other systems of oppression have measurable and intangible effects on Black people. How can we as leaders of all races begin to understand those impacts? How do we make tangible changes in our spheres of influence to create safe environments for Black people to thrive? What care do we need to take as Black people to ensure that we can flourish despite working in white institutions? Discussion in this breakout will explore how to support and model commitment to anti-racism with a focus on practices to address the toll of racism, and in particular anti-Black racism, on employees at all levels. Content is geared towards the emerging and developing learner and may include systemic oppression, intersectional oppression, mental health outcomes for Black workers, and practical tips for championing equity, diversity, and inclusion within spheres of influence.

<h2>1:50-3:15pm PST - Afternoon Breakout Groups (3 concurrent sessions)</h2>

<h2>1:50-3:15pm PST - Afternoon Breakout Groups (3 concurrent sessions)</h2>

'''<p style="color:#4682b4; font-size:large;"><strong>Theme: Healing and Nurturing our Bodies and Minds</strong></p>'''

'''<p style="color:#4682b4; font-size:large;"><strong>Theme: Healing and Nurturing our Bodies and Minds</strong></p>'''

<h3>1. Healing for Mental Health: An Inter-Cultural Perspective</h3>

<h3>A. Healing for Mental Health: An Inter-Cultural Perspective</h3>

*'''[[Healing for Mental Health: An Intercultural Perspective|Session Description]]'''

*'''[[Healing for Mental Health: An Intercultural Perspective|Session Description]]'''

<h3>2. The Belly Brain and Mind-Gut Connection: How to Fuel a Healthy Mind </h3>

<h3>B. The Belly Brain and Mind-Gut Connection: How to Fuel a Healthy Mind </h3>

''Trusting your gut'' – this timeless expression came from a very scientific place. Our gut is our second brain, our neurotransmitters are produced there and the biome of natural and invasive bacteria in our stomach and intestines significantly affects the way we think and act. Our gut is always giving us feedback. But modern day life has us very distracted from these subtle signals. Eating food without consciousness, ignoring our body’s need for movement and rest, disconnecting and distracting the mind from the body with our phones and more…. Food is one of the main ways we can nurture our bodies and minds and strengthen those neuro-pathways. There are more neurons in the belly than the spinal column, which is why it’s called the “belly-brain”. What we eat can have a profound effect on our mental health.  

''Trusting your gut'' – this timeless expression came from a very scientific place. Our gut is our second brain, our neurotransmitters are produced there and the biome of natural and invasive bacteria in our stomach and intestines significantly affects the way we think and act. Our gut is always giving us feedback. But modern day life has us very distracted from these subtle signals. Eating food without consciousness, ignoring our body’s need for movement and rest, disconnecting and distracting the mind from the body with our phones and more…. Food is one of the main ways we can nurture our bodies and minds and strengthen those neuro-pathways. There are more neurons in the belly than the spinal column, which is why it’s called the “belly-brain”. What we eat can have a profound effect on our mental health.  

<h3>3. Workload and Burnout: How to Take Action</h3>Workload: we all feel it and we all want to do something about it. But what? We know there is a direct linkage between health and work. One such health effect is the prevalence and pervasiveness of burnout. “Burnout” happens when an individual is exhausted from prolonged stress and has reached their limits mentally, emotionally and/or physically; it is often accompanied by a diagnosis of exhaustion. While a heavy workload is associated with burnout, what often tips a person from overworked to burnt out is the feeling that everything they’ve tried to make their situation better has been futile and ineffective, leaving them feeling powerless and unvalued by the people around them. People who feel they cannot be themselves and feel they must work at conforming to the accepted norms of their workplace or society can also experience burnout. Burnout is associated with depression, anxiety, feelings of inner emptiness, and can contribute to substance abuse and, in extreme cases, to suicidal ideation. Burnout’s physical symptoms differ from person to person but can include an enlarged amygdala (a part of the brain involved in mood regulation and anxiety), changes in hormone levels, gastrointestinal problems, inability to sleep properly, skin rashes, headache, elevated heart rate, vision and hearing problems, and panic attacks.

<h3>C. Workload and Burnout: How to Take Action</h3>Workload: we all feel it and we all want to do something about it. But what? We know there is a direct linkage between health and work. One such health effect is the prevalence and pervasiveness of burnout. “Burnout” happens when an individual is exhausted from prolonged stress and has reached their limits mentally, emotionally and/or physically; it is often accompanied by a diagnosis of exhaustion. While a heavy workload is associated with burnout, what often tips a person from overworked to burnt out is the feeling that everything they’ve tried to make their situation better has been futile and ineffective, leaving them feeling powerless and unvalued by the people around them. People who feel they cannot be themselves and feel they must work at conforming to the accepted norms of their workplace or society can also experience burnout. Burnout is associated with depression, anxiety, feelings of inner emptiness, and can contribute to substance abuse and, in extreme cases, to suicidal ideation. Burnout’s physical symptoms differ from person to person but can include an enlarged amygdala (a part of the brain involved in mood regulation and anxiety), changes in hormone levels, gastrointestinal problems, inability to sleep properly, skin rashes, headache, elevated heart rate, vision and hearing problems, and panic attacks.

Not only is it critical for managers to be familiar with the signs and symptoms of burnout and to accommodate employees that need support, but reported levels of burnout in executives is at an all-time high. Over 4,000 Public Service executives responded to the 2021 (6^th annual) APEX Executive Work and Healthy Study. Initial findings indicate burnout has reached 75%, the number of days they describe as stressful are at the highest level ever, and perceptions of work/home interference have doubled.  

Not only is it critical for managers to be familiar with the signs and symptoms of burnout and to accommodate employees that need support, but reported levels of burnout in executives is at an all-time high. Over 4,000 Public Service executives responded to the 2021 (6^th annual) APEX Executive Work and Healthy Study. Initial findings indicate burnout has reached 75%, the number of days they describe as stressful are at the highest level ever, and perceptions of work/home interference have doubled.