About the Symposium
This landmark Symposium will unite representatives from multiple agencies and governments to engage in comprehensive discussions and collaborative efforts. Recognizing the need to address the mental health and addictions crisis impacting communities throughout Central and Northern BC, the event aims to provide a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange and the leveraging of collective resources. The primary objective is to accelerate the advancement of collaborative actions and solutions.
Attendees will benefit from opportunities for information-sharing and coordination, fostering partnerships, and advancing joint advocacy and policy development. These efforts are designed to improve services and outcomes for those affected by mental health and addictions and their related intersections.
Who Should Attend
Government officials (Local, Regional, First Nations, Provincial and Federal), policy makers, mental health professionals, healthcare providers, social workers, case managers, researchers, academics, educators, students, community groups, law enforcement, parole officers, attorneys, not-for-profit organizations, and individuals with lived experiences.
Speakers
Presenters include those from the mental health and addictions sector and other experts
providing valuable insights and perspectives. Confirmed speakers include:
• Keynote Speaker: Corey Hirsch, former NHL goaltender, coach and an Olympic Games silver medalist
• Dr. Barbara Kane, Head of the Psychiatry Department, University Hospital of Northern British Columbia
• Janine Stevenson and Andrea Derban, Community Action Initiative
• Art Reynolds, BC Construction Safety Alliance and Ian Robb, Chair of the Alberta Building Trades
• Dr. Paul Farnan, Clinical Associate Professor, University of British Columbia
• Mike Skrypnek and Andrea Paquette, Stigma-Free Mental Health Society
• Acasia Preston, Raelene Hodgson, and Colleen Purcka, Foundry BC
• Laura Honey and Julia Hintermeister, Saplings Mental Health and many more
Prince George Conference and Civic Centre, 808 Canada Games Way, Prince George, BC V2L 5L1