Real-life accounts and insights into mental health

OPP and Partners Organize Symposium in the Town of The Blue Mountains for April 12 - 13

ORILLIA, ON, Feb. 29, 2016 /CNW/ - "Most of the time, the damage is invisible to people," says Sheldon Kennedy, the Lead Director at the Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre in Calgary that has developed a groundbreaking model of integrated practice that is changing the lives of victims of child abuse across Canada.

Kennedy is one of the keynote speakers at an upcoming symposium presented by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in partnership with the Town of The Blue Mountains and the Town of Collingwood – The Push for Change: A Two-Day Mental Health Symposium - Our People, Our Communities.  

"Mental health is a genuine concern. It affects our members and the people we serve," says OPP Commissioner J.V.N. (Vince) Hawkes. "The OPP is committed to acting on our Mental Health Strategy's priorities for action. The Symposium is an important opportunity to work with partners to strengthen community safety and well-being."

The event, which will be held at Blue Mountain Resort on April 12 and 13, includes speakers from across North America such as:

• Dr. Bobby Smith – The Will to Survive;
• Joe Roberts – The Push for Change;
• Lieutenant-General The Honourable Roméo Dallaire (Retired) – Reducing Our Walking Wounded.

First responders, mental health practitioners, educators, policy makers and members of the community will want to attend to learn more about the complex issues related to mental health. Sessions will facilitate information sharing and real-life insights. 

For more information about the symposium program and registration details and costs, go to opp.ca.

‎The OPP Mental Health Strategy: Our People, Our Communities, a comprehensive and integrated approach to improving the response to the mental health needs of OPP members and the individuals they serve. Related materials can be found on the OPP website.

SOURCE Ontario Provincial Police

Media Contact: Sgt. Peter Leon, Provincial Media Relations Coordinator, Phone: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]