Open Door 2022

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Brought to you by the BC Federal Council Community of Interest on Mental Health

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Wednesday, February 23, 2022

8:30-10:00am PST - Event Opening

• Opening Remarks
• Opening prayers & video performance
• Morning Plenary: Truth, Reconciliation, and Mental Wellness – Begins With Me and It Begins With You! with Grand Chief Doug Kelly, Sr. Advisor, Stolo Tribal Council

10:30-12:00pm PST - Morning Breakout Rooms (3 concurrent sessions)

Theme: The Importance of Informed Communication Approaches

Systemic and Anti-Black Racism Workshop - Black Don't Crack: The Pressure of White Institutions on Black Mental Health

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.

• Chanelle Tye, Equity & Inclusion Educator & Coach

1:50-3:15pm PST - Afternoon Breakout Groups (3 concurrent sessions)

Theme: Healing and Nurturing our Bodies and Minds

Healing for Mental Health: An Inter-Cultural Perspective

• Session Description

The Belly Brain and Mind-Gut Connection: How to Fuel a Healthy Mind

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.

In this session, we’ll hear and talk about what the microbiome is and the role it plays in our body’s belly-brain connection, and how the two-way connection between what/how we eat affects our stress and mood, and how stress affects our gut and unconscious food choices. We’ll uncover key factors that either help or hinder gut health and which signs and symptoms may indicate the body’s digestive system is out of balance. You’ll learn practical strategies and remedies to help improve digestion and how to tune in to your own gut cues to improve your mood with food and soothe a stressed-out gut.

Our bodies are always trying to communicate with us and by listening and honouring that innate intelligence you will find new strategies to support your wellbeing.

• Dr Genieve Burley-Howes, Chiropractor, Mental Health Advocate, Yoga Instructor (moderator)
• Michelle Johnston, Holistic Nutritionist
• Michelle Sheppard, Registered Dietitian

Workload and Burnout: How to Take Action

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.

It is time to be innovative and think about how we can manage workload to avoid burnout. What can we (leaders and employees) do to tackle this crisis across the federal family?

• Mario Baril, Ombuds for Mental Health and Employee Well-Being, Department of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development (moderator)
• Blair Hammond, Director, Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Pacific Region
• Allison Webb, Regional Director, Environmental Services and Contaminated Sites Management, Public Services and Procurement Canada, Pacific Region
• Jennifer Feeney-Svab, Centre of Expertise on Mental Health
• Eve Nadeau, Associate Ombuds for Mental Health and Employee Well-Being, Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
• Ayesha Sackey, Social Worker and Counsellor

3:30-4:15pm PST - Event Closing

• Afternoon Plenary: "Looking Forward: Prioritizing Mental Health in the Workplace – Fireside chat with Chief Information Officer Catherine Luelo"
• Closing Remarks