Mental Health Open Door 2021

OPEN DOOR FOR LEADERS IN MENTAL HEALTH

February 25^th, 2021 | Zoom Virtual Event

---

8:25 Please join us a few minutes early to test your connection. Reminder: TURN OFF VPN

---

MORNING PLENARY

Moderator: Christian Hansen

Regional Director General of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, Co-Chair  of the Community of Interest on Mental Health

8:30 – 8:45

OPENING REMARKS: Ravinder Rakhra

Regional Director General of the Pacific Regions, Public Services and Procurement Canada, Federal  Black Employee Caucus Champion

8:45 – 9:00

OPENING PRAYERS : Elder Caroline Buckshot

9:00- 10:00

CULTIVATING SAFE SPACES THROUGH SELF COMPASSSION: Farah Saad This presentation will give an insight on self-care and self-awareness in creating safe spaces for  yourself and those around you. It will touch on processing grief and that ultimately none of us are  experts or perfect at mental health but we came here to learn!  

---

10:00- 10:15 HEALTH BREAK & STRETCHING EXERCISES: Carole Eros

---

MORNING  

BREAKOUT ROOMS 10:15-11:45  

A. DIVERSITY AND RESILIENCE: Dr Olisa Mak (60 min) Lea Werthman (30 min) STRATEGIES FOR SUPPORTING MENTAL HEALTH

Dr. Mak will talk about strategies on how we can support all being affected by mental health,  as well as some preventive measures we can take.

&

LESSONS LEARNED FROM A MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE

Join Lea as she discusses mental health advocacy with the Federal Government.

B. PANEL ON WORKING DISABILITIES IN THE PUBLIC

Simple things matter – be it the placement of a door handle, a hook, where steps are, how  much light is over a desk, or having an invisible disability and how it can impact your work.

How can we accommodate others so that they can do their work and their mental health is  

not impacted.

∙ Adrianne Dunsmore (Moderator), Supply Specialist with Public Services and Procurement  Canada, she is an active member of PSPC’s Regional Mental Health and Wellness Committee  

since its inception and am the Mental Health and Wellness lead on PSPC’s Pacific Workplace  Resumption Committee.  

∙ Nicole Cote, Executive Director, Environmental Assessment, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and departmental co-champion for disability and accessibility issues.

∙ Jeff Kingsley, Public Service and Procurement Canada, During his career in the public service he has worked with many people with life challenges that can be adapted to help  

improve the someone’s life through physical activities or inclusion.

∙ Pam Cypher, A/Business Expertise Manager with Employment Insurance. She has a background in providing education and employment support for people with barriers to  

employment, including: disabilities, mental health, criminal records, socio-economic barriers, and survivors of residential schools.  

C. INDIGENOUS CULTURAL SAFETY: INCORPORATING WISDOM AND HUMILITY ON  

CREATING CULTURALLY SAFE SPACE

For many Indigenous people, culture plays a significant role in shaping our perspective  

while influencing how we interact within our environment. Cultural safety can refer to the  

provision of a safe and equitable environment for Indigenous peoples. This would be an  

environment that takes into account how elements of social history influences the well

being and need of an individual. It is important to understand the definition of cultural  

safety is evolving and self-defined. Successful efforts to create a culturally safe environment  

can only be confirmed by the individual receiving those efforts. Within this panel, we will  

explore various aspects of cultural safety and learn ways in which we can work toward  

creating an environment where individuals feel acknowledged and supported.

∙ David Russell (Moderator): Director for Lands and Economic Development at the BC  

regional office of Indigenous Services Canada

∙ Caroline Buckshot: Elder Caroline Buckshot is Algonquin First Nations Status from the  

Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg located in Maniwaki, Quebec. Her Anishinaabe name is KaNigan a  

Pit, which means Woman who Teaches). She is an Indigenous Elder working within the  

Correctional Service of Canada, and is a well-known and respected Elder in many  

communities.  

∙ Vicky Sawatzky: Vicki works within the Correctional Service of Canada as an Indigenous  Programs Officer.

∙ Andrew Caldwell: Andrew is also Algonquin First Nations Status from the Kitigan Zibi  

Anishinabeg. His Anishinaabe name is Wa-Wa-Ti-In-In-Ne, which means Northern Lights  

Man. Andrew was employed with the Correctional Services of Canada for ten and half years  

as an Indigenous Correctional Program Officer. He is a Positive Space Initiatives Trainer and

Ambassador and recently deployed to the Employment and Social Development Canada as  

an Indigenous Policy Analyst in the Indigenous Coordination and Engagement for Skills and  

Employment Branch – Indigenous Affairs Directorate.  

---

11:45 – 12:45 LUNCH

---

AFTERNOON BREAK  OUT ROOMS

12:45- 2:15

A. MANAGING MENTAL HEALTH: ADDRESSING ANTI-BLACK RACISM IN  FEDERAL WORKPLACES

This workshop will explore how anti-black racism shows up in federal workplaces and the  impact it has on everyone in the organization, and especially on black public servants.  Participants will be provided with opportunities for discussion and reflection as well as  practical tools on how to create an environment that is “psychologically safe”. This workshop  will target managers but all are welcome.

∙ Ravinder Rakhra, Regional Director General of the Pacific Regions, Public Services and  Procurement Canada, FBEC Champion

∙ Bohang (Matsumunyane) Benedix, Registered Clinical Counselor, No Fear Counselling ∙ Ayesha Sackey, Clinical Services Manager at Burnaby Mental Health and Addiction,  Provincial Health Services Authority Regional Wellness Coordinator.

This workshop is presented by the BC Federal Council and the Federal Black Employee  Caucus (FBEC).  

B. ARMCHAIR DISCUSSION WITH THE OMBUDSPEOPLE ON DIVERSITY AND MENTAL  HEALTH

Join BC Federal Council Mental Health Champion Rebecca Reid in chatting with the  Ombudspeople of various departments about their experience of diversity impacting mental  wellness in the public service, and how COVID has changed the playing field.

∙ Rebecca Reid (moderator), RDG of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), BC Federal Council  Mental Health Champion

∙ Mathieu Giroux, Ombudsman for Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)

∙ Mario Baril, Ombudsman for Mental Health of Innovation, Science and Economic  Development (ISED)

∙ Eve Nadeau, Deputy Ombudsman for Mental Health of Innovation, Science and Economic  Development

∙ Gilles Moreau, Ombudsman of Small Departments and Agencies

C. COMING TOGETHER: CONSIDERING DIVERSITY IN MENTAL HEALTH  EXPERIENCES - PANEL DISCUSSION

The intersectionality of gender and sexual orientation are some of the lenses through  which we perceive ourselves and the world around us; and influences how we engage with  each other. The roles, behaviours, expressions, and identities that are affected and  influenced by gender and sexual orientation lead to considerable diversity in how we as  individuals understand, experience, and express ourselves. Our identities create groups  and sub-groups, each rich with experience of relationships, community and the limitations  of expectations. Embracing this diversity, Panelists will discuss how gender and sexual  orientation shape our mental health experiences, bringing greater awareness to the  multiplicity of individual experiences while also revealing our common endeavours for  mutual respect, caring, and happiness.

∙ Andrew Caldwell (moderator): is Algonquin First Nations Status from the Kitigan Zibi  Anishinabeg located in Maniwaki, Quebec. His Anishinaabe name is Wa-Wa-Ti-In-In-Ne, which means Northern Lights Man. Andrew was employed with the Correctional  

Services of Canada for ten and half years as an Indigenous Correctional Program Officer  where he worked at all of the security levels, as well as community corrections. He is a Positive Space Initiatives Trainer and Ambassador and recently deployed to the  

Employment and Social Development Canada as a Policy Analyst in the Indigenous Coordination and Engagement for Skills and Employment Branch – Indigenous Affairs Directorate.

∙ Dr. John Ogrodniczuk: is a Professor of Psychiatry at UBC, Director of the  

Psychotherapy Program at UBC and has his own private practice. He has also developed HeadsUpGuys, a leading global resource that supports men in their fight against  

depression.  

∙ Dr Genieve Burley: is a chiropractor in Vancouver, BC and chair of BC Women’s Health  Foundation Gala Committee, focusing on women’s mental health.

∙ Gabriel Lanthier: is a SAP Basis administrator at ESDC. Gabriel has battled against  mental health challenges (anxiety, depression) and through his questioning, he is now  living more authentically in his pursuit of happiness and transitioned from female to  

male in 2017.

∙ Nia Gillies: is an out Bisexual post-op Transgender woman and volunteers with  

transgender refugees. She is currently a Human Resource Advisor with the Human  

Resources Services Branch.

∙ Justine Munich: is a local community leader and activist in the asexual and aromantic  community. They are also the chair of the board of directors of Asexual Outreach, a non

profit in Canada and a 501c3 charity in the US. Justine also volunteers as an  

administrator on the largest online asexual community forum, the Asexual Visibilty and  

Education Network.

2:15 – 2:30 HEALTH BREAK

LIVED  

EXPRERIENCES: 2:30 – 3:00

CHOOSE  

A or B

AFTERNOON  PLENARY

A. WHAT IF EVERYONE WAS SHOCKED THAT YOU COULD TALK? THAT YOU ENJOYED  MUSIC? Élise Doucet

This is life for E lise Doucet, a young Deaf adult. Others preconceptions about her deafness  and its limits have invaded all major areas of her life: from her personal life, to her family,  school, and to her experiences with the healthcare system. E lise’s presentation will give  you a view into a world that lives in front of everyone, but is not often seen.  

B. BLINDING CHALLENGES Jessica Bonish

Did you know that only 20% of blind people seeking work, obtain work? Join Jessica as she  discusses the struggles to find work with a visual impairment, and the challenges of being  able to maintain work – even in the Federal Government, while also dealing with anorexia  and depression.

MODERATOR: Allison Webb

Co-Chair of the Community of Interest on Mental Health

Page 4

3:00 – 4:00 4:00- 4:15 4:15 – 4:30

SUICIDE AND SELF HARM: RECOGNIZING THE SIGNS AND WHAT TO DO: Dr. Dan Cox, UBC, and  Christa Haywood-Farmer, CMHA

Has a friend or co-worker ever talked of harming themselves or dying by suicide? Do you call  someone? If so, who? How do you talk to them? If you ask them questions, will it make it worse  and they actually do it?  

Join in for a talk and discussion about symptoms and signs of potential self harm, as well as tools  that can help.  

JOINT LEARNING PROGRAM UPDATE INCLUDING NEW VIRTUAL OFFERINGS: Michael Van  Nen and Aaron Billesberger

The Joint Learning Program is committed to building relationships and improving the workplace  through free educational and interactive online discussion series sessions and in-person workshops  where participants are encouraged to share their own experiences. The Regional Field Coordinators  for the BC-Yukon Region will be providing a program update, including the upcoming release of new  engaging online sessions focused on anti-racism.

CLOSING REMARKS: Rebecca Reid

RDG of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), BC Federal Council Mental Health Champion

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THIS VERY IMPORTANT TOPIC!

Some of the workshops will be recorded for sharing.  

Questions? Meghan.Chen@Canada.ca (236)-334-2721

At Open Door we aim to make everyone feel comfortable, supported and safe.  Mental Health First Aid trained volunteers will available site throughout the event.  

MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID

If you are feeling distressed by any of the topics that come up, please reach out to  any of our Mental Health First Aiders, who are on standby:

∙ Gail Muskeyn: (236) 313 – 1065

∙ Taylor Dobroshinsky: (236)– 313 – 0828

∙ Gabrielle Lhokta – (604) 363- 0091

∙ Carole Eros: (604) 813 – 5484 (not available from 9:45-10:15)

∙ Jeanne Olineck: (236) 313 - 1213 (not available from 2:15 – 3:15)

∙ Meghan Chen: (236) 334 – 7860

∙ Elder Virginia Peters

EAP is also available:  

∙ Contact EAP at: 1-800-268-7708

∙ Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD): 1-800-567-5803

Other Services

^∙ EAP LifeSpeak Resources

^∙ Specialized Organizational Services (SOS)

^∙ E-Counselling

With so much thanks to the departments that support Open Door 2021, especially Public Service and Procurement  Canada (PSPC) , Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and Western Economic Diversification (WED). Special thanks to  the Federal Black Employee Caucus for working with us to plan a more inclusive event. As well, we would like to thank  our over 20 member departments of the Community of Interest on Mental Health, and the BC Federal Council  Secretariat and our gratitude to individuals from those organizations who dedicated funding, time and expertise to  developing today’s content.

Page 6