Thank you to all our 2023 speakers and panelists.
7:30 – Registration/Breakfast
8:30 – Opening Remarks
8:45 – Morning Keynote: The Mental Health Imperative
Join Kim Corace, Vice President of Innovation and Transformation at The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre as she takes us through an examination of the global mental health crisis. She will explore mental wellbeing not simply as a personal issue, but as an economic, business and social imperative. Join us for a frank discussion about how Canadians are doing, how we compare to others around the world, and how innovation can propel us forward as a local, national, and global community.
9:15 – Panel Conversation: The State of Mental Health
Post-pandemic, awash in addictions, consumed by social media, and overwhelmed with news of war, inflation and climate disasters, mental health is at an all-time low. Hear a panel of experts unpack what they are seeing at an individual, organizational and global level. Get important insights into how mental illness is affecting society; impacting the next generation; driving homelessness; and causing employee turnover, a rise in disability costs and a decline in productivity.
- Conversation Starter: Adrian Harewood, Associate Professor, Carleton University, Former Anchor, CBC News
- David S. Goldbloom, Psychiatric Consultant and Professor, University of Toronto
- Erin Anderssen, Journalist, feature writer, The Globe and Mail
- Janet Mantler, Professor, Organizational Psychology, Carleton University
- Paul Mkandaŵire, Professor, Global Human Rights and Social Justice, Carleton University
10:15 – Networking Break
10:45 – Panel Conversation: Leadership as a Platform for Change
Leadership is how purpose translates to action, then change. Join a multi-sector panel as they dive into how leaders can, and will transform the mental health of people, organizations, populations, communities and the world for the better. Learn from thought leaders and decision-makers as they discuss the keys to success and how they may differ for business, government and non-profits.
- Conversation Starter: Janice Charette, Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet of the Government of Canada
- Benoit-Antoine Bacon, President and Vice-Chancellor, Carleton University
- Mary Deacon, Chair & Founder, Bell Let’s Talk Mental Health Initiative
- Brenda Restoule, CEO, First Peoples Wellness Circle
12:00 – Lunch
12:45 – Afternoon Keynote: Open Heart, Open Mind
Clara Hughes, Six-time Olympic Medallist, Mental Health Advocate
As the founding spokesperson for Bell Let’s Talk, a campaign designed to end the stigma attached to mental illness, Hughes helped jumpstart the conversation on mental wellness. In her candid, personal talks, Hughes explores how movement can change lives, and draws from her experience living with depression to inspire audiences to face their fears, find their voice, and become the champions they’re meant to be. She is also the author of the bestselling memoir, Open Heart, Open Mind.
1:45 – Panel Conversation: The Cost of Mental Health
From addiction to dementia to schizophrenia, almost one billion people worldwide suffer from a mental disorder. Lost productivity, as a result of anxiety and depression alone, costs the global economy US $1 trillion each year. Poor mental health is estimated to cost a projected US $6 trillion by 2030. This panel will explore the ROI for mental health prevention, its current level of resource support and what changes are needed. Hear from experts as they discuss access and equity, and surface strategies and solutions that could be implemented at a personal, community and organizational level.
- Conversation Starter: Claire de Oliveira, Senior Health Economist and Senior Scientist, Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, CAMH
- Harriet Ekperigin, Vice President, Mental Health, GreenShield
- Greg Fergus, MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and to the President of the Treasury Board
- Kim Hellemans, Assistant Professor, Neuroscience, Carleton University
3:00 – Networking Break
3:30 – Panel Conversation: The Future of Mental Health – Planning a Better Tomorrow
This panel will explore policy, technology, research, training and knowledge to highlight what needs to change to build a better tomorrow. Hear from forward-thinking experts as they unpack new and emerging technology used to diagnose, treat and save lives; workforce design that cultivates well-being at the individual and organizational level; innovations to the mental health care system; and policies that would strengthen and advance our mental health.
- Conversation Starter: Zach Kaminsky, DIFD-Mach-Gaensslen Chair in Suicide Prevention Research, Institute of Mental Health Research, The Royal
- Mary Bartram, Director of Policy, Mental Health Commission of Canada
- Joanna Pozzulo, Director of the Mental Health and Well-being Research and Training Hub
- Kathy Woods, Partner, National Lead, Future Ready Organization, Deloitte