The Canadian Psychological Association's 73rd Annual Convention

HALIFAX, June 13, 2012 /CNW/ - June 14^th through 16^th, 2012 the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) will host its 73^rd Annual Convention in Halifax, Nova Scotia.  This year's CPA Annual Convention has attracted more than 1,500 researchers, practitioners and students who share the latest discoveries and developments about the science and practice of psychology.

Papers and presentations will cover areas of key interest to consumers of health care, educators, policy makers and the public at large.  These will include topics such as bullying and violence among the youth, the stigma of mental disorders, traumatic stress, brain behaviour relationships, mental health issues in indigenous and north communities, mental health promotion in schools, attention deficit disorder, autism, and alcohol use and abuse.

Prominent speakers at this year's convention are:

David Dozois, Ph.D., CPA Presidential Address, discusses Psychological Treatments: Putting Evidence into Practice and Practice into Evidence

David M. Clark, Ph.D., CPA Honorary Presidential Address, discusses Developing and Disseminating Effective Psychological Treatments: Science, Practice and Economics 

Jeffrey S. Mogil, Ph.D. presents The Family of Psychology Keynote Address. Pain, Social Communication, Empathy and Prosocial Behaviour…in the Laboratory Mouse

Rosemary Tannock, Ph.D., Science & Application Keynote Address discusses Challenges in Conceptualizing, Assessing, Diagnosing and Treating Children, Adolescents, and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Louise Bradley, Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) discusses The Mental Health Strategy for Canada: By Canadians, For Canadians.

The CPA is also pleased to announce the 2^nd Annual High School Science Awards - an initiative for Canadian high school students who have made a foray into psychological research.  We received submissions from high school students across the country and a panel of psychologists from CPA's Scientific Affairs committee reviewed and ranked the submissions.

We have invited the two winners to attend the 2012 convention, present their work, and receive their awards.  Awards will include a cheque generously donated by one of CPA's partners, Scotiabank.  David Dozois, Ph.D., CPA's president and Peter Graf, Ph.D., CPA's former president, will officiate and present the awards and certificates to the winners. The presentations will take place on Thursday, June 14^th from 11:00am - 12:00pm., at the World Trade and Convention Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia.  The winners are:

Dave Saraswat of Old Scona Academic High School (Edmonton, AB), first place, for his submission entitled: The Relationship Between Physical Fitness and Driving Performance.

Adelina Cozma of Bayview Secondary School (Richmond Hill, ON), second place, for her submission entitled: Slow It Down to Speed It Up: Connecting a Bridge to an Autistic Mind's World.

About the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA)
The Canadian Psychological Association was organized in 1939 and incorporated under the Canada Corporations Act, Part II, in May 1950.  Its objectives are to improve the health and welfare of all Canadians; to promote excellence and innovation in psychological research, education, and practice; to promote the advancement, development, dissemination, and application of psychological knowledge; and to provide high-quality services to members.  To find out more information go to www.cpa.ca

Press inquiries should be made to:
Tyler Stacey-Holmes
Phone: [phone], ext 325
[e-mail]