{"id":87478,"date":"2023-05-01T09:23:03","date_gmt":"2023-05-01T13:23:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsroom.carleton.ca\/?post_type=cu_story&p=87478"},"modified":"2025-09-30T10:19:18","modified_gmt":"2025-09-30T14:19:18","slug":"carleton-challenge-conference-mental-health-crisis","status":"publish","type":"cu_story","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/story\/carleton-challenge-conference-mental-health-crisis\/","title":{"rendered":"Carleton’s Challenge Conference to Tackle the Mental Health Crisis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n Carleton's Challenge Conference to Tackle the Mental Health Crisis\n <\/h1>\n \n <\/header>\n <\/div>\n\n \n <\/path>\n <\/path>\n <\/svg>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n

The world’s mental health is truly in a crisis state. Billions have been affected and it is costing trillions globally. COVID-19 has exacerbated the situation with rates of stress, anxiety and depression skyrocketing, creating unprecedented challenges to health care systems, workplaces, economies and communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will it take to challenge this mental health crisis?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On May 10, Carleton University will partner with The Royal’s Institute for Mental Health Research (IMHR)<\/a> for the inaugural Carleton Challenge Conference<\/a>. For one day, mental health will be the focus as experts and leaders who are challenging the status quo, driving transformation and catalyzing meaningful change come together to share their ideas, knowledge and expertise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Carleton Challenge Conference is an opportunity for business, government, academic and community leaders to engage with experts from a wide range of sectors. Speakers include the Clerk of the Privy Council Janice Charette, Olympic medalist and mental health advocate Clara Hughes, Deloitte’s National Lead for Future Ready Organization Kathy Woods as well as many more. The event will be hosted by Carleton’s Adrian Harewood, former host of CBC News.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carleton President and Vice-Chancellor Benoit-Antoine Bacon is excited to welcome so many leading thinkers and doers to the university for an important conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n

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“I’m eager to connect with change-makers from across Canada as we challenge what’s possible for mental health,” says Bacon. “Nothing is more important than our well-being as individuals and as communities, and improving mental health and wellness improves everything else.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

“Our collective future depends on human creativity, drive and vision, but that future is threatened by a global mental health emergency with rising human and financial costs. The time to take corrective action is now.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n