Annual Let’s Talk Event

Annual Let’s Talk Event

Since 2016, Healthy Workplace, Carleton Leader, the Office of Student Affairs, the Department of Psychology, the Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA) and the Rideau River Residence Association (RRRA) have partnered to host a guest speaker for the Carleton University community to celebrate the annual Let’s Talk Day. This event brings faculty, staff and students together to help create awareness and education around mental health, as well as provides a forum for dialogue around mental health issues. It is also aimed at reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness.

Previous Let’s Talk Events

2022: “Hope-Forward: Steadying Our Steps After a Challenging Season” with Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe is a psychology and education instructor who specializes in resiliency, navigating stress and change, and personal wellness. Dr. Hanley-Dafoe’s talk discussed practical strategies, grounded in global research and case studies, that help foster resiliency within ourselves and others. Attendees learned how to: Identify and recognize practices that foster everyday resiliency; Work with the barriers and facilitators of resiliency; Decrease stress during uncertainty; and Revisit and reaffirm values and priorities for life with work integration.
2021: “From the Ashes: My Story of Being Métis, Homeless, and Finding My Way” with Jesse Thistle This talk explored Jesse’s riveting personal journey which has captivated endless audiences in his book, From the Ashes. He reflected on his story, one that recounts trauma, addiction, and homelessness. Through his remarks, audiences learned a deeper story of hope and resilience, one that impacted them deeply. Jesse Thistle is a Métis-Cree Ph.D. Candidate in the History program and Assistant Professor at York University, Toronto. Currently,he is working on theories of the intergenerational and historical trauma of the Métis people. Jesse’s work involves reflections on his own previous struggles with addiction and homelessness and has been recognized as having a wide impact on both the scholarly community and the greater public.
2020: Let’s Talk with Kellylee Evans Internationally acclaimed Juno Award-Winning singer songwriter Kellylee Evans shares her inspirational journey of recovery, and showcases the importance of self-care and finding your superpower. With multiple albums to her name and a gruelling touring schedule, Evans experienced a life altering event in 2013 when she was struck by lightning while washing dishes in her home. For several months, she worked to regain her health, stamina, and balance, however, in 2015, she suffered a devastating concussion that left her unable to tour. For the next two years, this mother of three dedicated herself to recovery so she could get back to making and sharing her music. In the summer of 2017, Evans triumphantly returned to the stage, and in 2018 her album Come On was nominated at the Juno Awards for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year. When she’s not on tour, Evans also takes the stage to share her story in hopes of inspiring others to find their superpower even in the face of adversity. Combining storytelling with music, she creates a memorable experience for all audiences.
2019: “Let’s Talk: My Journey towards Resilience, Purpose and Gratitude” with Benoit-Antoine Bacon, President and Professor of Psychology Carleton President Benoit-Antoine Bacon shared his personal journey  towards resilience, purpose and gratitude. Dr. Benoit-Antoine Bacon started his five-year mandate as President of Carleton University on July 1, 2018. He joined Carleton from Queen’s University where he served as Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic).He previously served as Provost and Vice-President (Academic Affairs) at Concordia University in his hometown of Montreal where he was recognized with an award as Concordia University’s Sustainability Champion. His first academic appointment was at Bishop’s University, where he served in a number of leadership roles including Dean of Arts and Science, Associate Vice-Principal for Research, chair of the psychology department and chief negotiator for the association of professors of Bishop’s University.
2018: “Let’s Talk: Beyond the Words” with Kendra Fisher Kendra Fisher, an elite Canadian hockey player and founder of mentallyfIt (a movement aimed at presenting hope, education and a safe place for people struggling with mental illness) joined us to share her mental health journey and strategies for how she continues to thrive. Kendra is a past member of Team Canada’s Hockey program and current (World Champion) Team Canada Inline goalie on a mission to de-stigmatize mental health! Years ago, when faced with the opportunity to realize her dream of goaltending for Team Canada, Kendra was diagnosed with a Severe Anxiety Disorder coupled with Severe Panic Attacks, Depression and Agoraphobia; forcing her to leave the National Program in order to seek help to learn how to live with what had become a crippling disease. It is her hope that her story will offer both hope and promise to others dealing with Mental Illness.
2017: “Let’s Talk About It: We All Have Mental Health” with Samuel Breau An engaged leader and advocate since a young age, Samuel’s journey towards recovery began during university. Since his early childhood, Samuel noticed that he was constantly worried by big questions that no one else his age could relate to. Then after moving from rural New Brunswick to Ottawa and facing the high expectations from university, scholarships and peers, Samuel became more aware than ever that he may be living with a mental illness. He subsequently sought treatment for a generalized anxiety disorder. Today, he uses tools and techniques to keep his anxiety manageable and continues to maintain an active and engaged life. Drawing from social and cultural experiences as a linguistic minority and gay man, Samuel combines professional and personal experiences to deliver powerful messages and fight stigma, while carrying out his projects with confidence. He highly values his family and friends who feed his spirit and motivate him to evoke change and promote mental health and recovery for all.
2016: “Let’s Talk About It: Popping the Stigma Around Mental Illness” with Andrew Jensen Bell Let’s Talk Ambassador and pro golfer Andrew Jensen shared his story of his life-long battle with depression, how he has emerged stronger than ever, and what we can all do to address the stigma around mental illness. “I am living a story. I will not give up.” Those words are permanently etched into Andrew Jensen’s arm. A reminder of his life-long battle with depression and how he has emerged stronger than ever, regaining his passion for life…and golf. Andrew plays professionally on the Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada. He is also a Bell Let’s Talk Ambassador who wants to inspire others who are battling mental illness to speak up and seek help.