Youth Mental Health Summit: Local and Global Connections and Perspectives

Youth Mental Health Summit: Local and Global Connections and Perspectives

Date: Wednesday, October 2, 2024

Time: 8:30 am - 3:30 pm

Location: Sears Atrium, 245 Church St, 3rd Floor, Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU)

Summit Details:

The Youth Mental Health Summit is an interdisciplinary conference aimed at examining critical mental health issues affecting youth, with an emphasis on both local and global contexts. Hosted at Toronto Metropolitan University, this summit will convene experts, scholars, and practitioners to exchange knowledge, discuss research findings, and foster collaborative approaches to enhancing mental health and resilience among diverse youth populations.

Summit Schedule:

8:30 AM - Light Breakfast & Networking

9:15 AM - 10:45 AM | Morning Plenary: Mental Health Issues Impacting Students & Youth

This plenary session will address significant mental health challenges faced by various youth demographics, featuring insights from leading experts:

• Child and Youth Mental Health - Dr. Andrea Levinson, University of Toronto
• Indigenous Youth and Communities - Dr. Jeremy Riva-Cambrin, Unity Health Toronto -
• International Students - Sucre Li, Asian Community AIDS Services
• Black Youth and Communities - Tiyondah Fante-Coleman, Black Health Alliance

11:00 AM - 12:13 PM | Morning Symposium: Promoting Mental Health and Community Resilience - Local and Global Innovations

This symposium will showcase innovative strategies in mental health promotion and resilience building, both locally and globally:

• Mental Health Promotion of University Students in China: by Dr. Josephine P. Wong, TMU
• Digital Mental Health Promotion: Evidence from PACER: by Dr. Kenneth P. Fung, University Health Network -
• Community Mobilization in Virtual Spaces: Project PROTECH: by Dr. Alan T. Li, Community Alliance for Accessible Treatment -

12:15 PM - 1:15 PM | Lunch & Networking

An opportunity for networking over lunch, allowing participants to engage with peers and experts in the field.

1:15 PM - 3:15 PM | Afternoon Knowledge Exchange

This session will feature targeted discussions and collaborative round tables focused on setting youth mental health priorities:

• Culturally Inclusive Mental Health Interventions for Asian Immigrant Youth - Dr. Rui Hou, TMU
• Round Tables: Collaborative discussions on youth mental health priorities and partnership formation (All Participants)

Keynote Speakers:

• Dr. Jeremy Riva-Cambrin (He/Him) - Indigenous Psychiatrist, Unity Health Toronto; Lecturer, University of Toronto

Dr. Riva-Cambrin specializes in Indigenous mental health, intergenerational trauma, and psychedelic research. He is dedicated to advancing equity in mental health services, particularly for underserved Indigenous communities.

• Tiyondah Fante-Coleman (She/Her) - Researcher, Black Health Alliance; PhD Candidate, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto

Tiyondah Fante-Coleman’s research focuses on improving mental healthcare access for marginalized communities, particularly Black youth in Ontario. Her work is grounded in participatory methods and action-oriented research.

• Sucre Li (He/Him) - Men's Program Coordinator, Asian Community AIDS Services

Sucre Li's work focuses on mental health and well-being, particularly within the international student community. Drawing from his personal experience as a student living with HIV, he is committed to creating supportive environments and accessible resources.

Registration:

Due to limited seating, advance registration is required. Please secure your place early to participate in this significant academic discourse on youth mental health.

Accessibility:

Please indicate any accommodation needs or dietary restrictions during registration.

We look forward to your participation in this important academic event!

Host or Publisher Linking Hearts