TORONTO, Nov. 5, 2015 – Strategies to promote mental health among children and youths will be the focus of this year’s annual Bullying Prevention Conference, to be held on Nov. 13 .
The one-day conference is organized by PREVNet, led by York University Professor Debra Pepler and Queen’s University Professor Wendy Craig, as well as Western University’s Centre for School Mental Health. Designed for educators, social workers, counselors, law enforcement officers, volunteers, parents and others interested in preventing bullying, it takes place just prior to national Bullying Prevention Week (Nov. 16-20).
Five workshops will be held concurrently, with an overview of the topic and current evidence-based practice during the morning, followed by small group exercises to build skills. The workshops include:
Classroom management to address bullying – moving beyond controlling negative behaviour to a more holistic perspective, including examining a student’s relationships and opportunities for positive interactions with teachers, peers, family and the community.
Healthy Relationships Plus Program for Youth – how youths who have been involved in violent or unhealthy relationships, and youths who have not had this experience, are improving their communication and problem-solving skills to reduce pressures from their peers and society.
Strategies for promoting positive mental health with Aboriginal youth and communities – effective programs for promoting mental health and healthy relationships for Aboriginal Youth in communities across Canada by focusing on community history and the importance of cultural connectedness.
Promoting positive mental health through social-emotional learning – educators’ role in promoting social and emotional learning as a foundation for mental health, and resources available.
Effective strategies for youth engagement – an interactive workshop by youths and adults to explore the best academic research about youth engagement and how to tailor it to everyday practices.
WHAT: Promoting Mental Health and Preventing Bullying conference
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 13, 2015, 8:30am to 4:30pm
WHERE: Westin Prince Hotel , 900 York Mills Rd., Toronto
INFO: Agenda, workshops and speakers, click HERE
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Media contact:
Janice Walls, Media Relations, York University, 416 736 2100 ext. 22101, wallsj@yorku.ca
