Phoenix Rising - A Professional Development Day for Our Mental Health
About this Event
Phoenix Rising
A Mental Health Professional Development Day
Monday, October 5, 2026 | 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Brookstreet Hotel | Ottawa
This Mental Illness Awareness Week, invest in the one thing you carry with you every day... your mental health.
Most professional development helps us build our careers.
Phoenix Rising helps us build ourselves.
Join us for an inspiring, practical day that moves beyond awareness and into action.
For more than four years, the Dare To Be Vulnerable Project has been changing the way we think about our mental health. Through 23 community conversations attended by more than 2,500 people, we've seen what happens when courageous leaders step forward to share their stories and practical tools are placed into the hands of everyday people.
Phoenix Rising brings those two powerful experiences together.
The Morning
Courageous Conversations
The morning features our signature programming that has inspired thousands across our community.
Business leaders openly share their mental health journeys, the challenges they've faced, and the practices that continue to support them today.
No scripts.
No perfection.
Just real conversations that remind us we are never alone.
The Afternoon
Build Your Mental Health Playbook
Awareness is only the beginning.
The afternoon is an interactive experience designed to help you create your own Mental Health Playbook using simple, practical, science based strategies that can be integrated into everyday life.
Together we'll explore techniques that help you:
- Better manage stress and overwhelm
- Increase resilience
- Improve focus and clarity
- Build stronger daily habits
- Strengthen connection with yourself and others
- Create a practical plan you can actually use
You'll leave with more than inspiration.
You'll leave with a personalized playbook designed to support your mental health long after the day is over.
Who Should Attend?
Leaders.
Professionals.
Teams.
Anyone who believes that investing in mental health is one of the most important investments we can make.
Come on your own.
Bring your colleagues.
Bring your leadership team.
You'll Leave With
• Greater self awareness
• Practical, science based mental health strategies
• A personalized Mental Health Playbook
• Meaningful connections
• Renewed energy, hope and perspective
Agenda
8:30 – 9:30 AM
Coffee, tea and networking
9:30 – 11:30 AM
Courageous Conversations
Welcome and facilitation by Susan Blain, Founder of the Dare To Be Vulnerable Project.
Hear from courageous leaders who are changing the conversation around mental health by sharing their personal journeys with honesty and vulnerability.
Featured speakers to be announced.
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Lunch
1:00 – 3:30 PM
Build Your Mental Health Playbook
An engaging, hands on afternoon focused on practical tools and strategies you can begin using immediately.
Because awareness isn't enough.
Real change happens when we learn, practice and support one another.
Give yourself the day.
Invest in your mental health.
Rise with us this Mental Illness Awareness Week.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
CAD 197.75 to CAD 1977.50
