DIVERT Mental Health is excited to host a one-day event that brings mental health trainees, faculty, clinicians, industry, and NGO staff to learn together. The event is dedicated to innovative learning activities taught by a multisectoral group of experts ranging from patient-partners to policy makers and clinicians to researchers to innovators. Our day focuses on the intersection of inclusivity (diverse ways of understanding mental health; diverse populations) and accessibility (innovative technologies that increase reach of mental health interventions) in mental health. Participants from a diverse area of disciplines are invited, particularly psychology, medicine, nursing, social work, rehabilitation sciences, computer sciences. Expect to leave with new knowledges and skills to support your work in mental health!

Lunch and coffee breaks will be provided to all in-person participants. French translation available for virtual attendees.

There are only 3 simple steps to register:

  1. If you aren’t already an Associate Fellow of DIVERT Mental Health, register here (it only takes a few minutes!). If you are an Associate Fellow, go to step 2.
  2. Purchase your Eventbrite ticket before November 3rd. Contact divert@yorku.ca if you have not received the link.
  3. Register your personal profile on PheedLoop. You will receive the detailed information 3 weeks before the event. This will take 5 minutes – paste in a quick bio and upload a photo.

Event Agenda & Speakers

All sessions will be interpreted live English to French via Zoom and
streamed through PheedLoop’s Event Management Platform (login credentials to be provided to all attendees prior to the event).
PheedLoop will also be used for hybrid interactive components & gamification!

All event times are in Eastern Daylight Time (Toronto).

Time

7:30am – 8:15am

Session/Workshop

Registration

8:30am – 8:45am

Welcome & Land Acknowledgements with
Dr. Rebecca Pillai Riddell, CPsych, FCAHS
Tier 1 York Research Chair in Pain and Mental Health,
York University

8:45am – 10:00am

Research, Practice, and Policy: Intersecting Sectors to Improve Digital Mental Health in Children and Youth with

10:00am – 10:20am

Fluent in Minds: Youth-Led Community Initiative to Further Language Inclusivity in Mental Health with
Sissi Zhao & Aeris Wren

10:20am – 10:35am

Break with Coffee/Tea and Mid-Morning Snacks

10:35am – 12:00pm

Should we quit our Day Jobs: Will AI replace Mental Health Professionals with
Dr. Venkat Bhat, MD, MSc, FRCPC, DABPN
Dr. Guillaume Dumas, PhD
Dr. Alexandre Hudon, B.ing, MD, MSc(ed), PhD, FRCPC


12:00pm – 1:00pm

Networking Activity Over Lunch

1:00pm – 2:15pm

ᐆᑌᓈᐃᐧᐦᑖᐤ ôtenâwihtâw / they make it a community with
Beverly Keeshig-Soonias


A journey through life is never a solitary experience. It involves relationships with all beings in the multiverse. Relationships are impacted by cultural views. As healers we are compelled to explore teachings about an ethical space between cultural views that provide a safe space to explore Indigenous approaches to well-being, alongside euro-centric approaches. The ceremony of sharing teaching and learning leads to the growth of community.

2:15pm – 3:00pm

Hot Topics in Digital Mental Health with
Dr. Carla Hilario, PhD
Dr. Hali Kil, PhD
Kaitlin Di Pierdomenico

3:00pm – 3:15pm

Closing Remarks with
Dr. Rebecca Pillai Riddell, CPsych, FCAHS
Tier 1 York Research Chair in Pain and Mental Health,
York University