CES Sessions
All sessions are offered at no cost.

08 Apr 2024

Cherishing Parenthood: Understanding and Coping with Postpartum Emotions ***please register using the poster only***

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Presenters: Abigail Erasmus BA(ChSt), Family Support Coordinator, Robyn Macpherson ECE, BA(ChSt), Family Support Facilitator Jessica Stokes Dip. in Social Work, RSW, Family Support Facilitator, Parent and Caregiver Support Services with the City of Chestermere

The postpartum period is an intricate tapestry of emotions, woven with the threads of joy, exhaustion, love, and vulnerability. New mothers often find themselves on an emotional rollercoaster as they navigate the profound changes that come with bringing a new life into the world and having their relationships change. Amidst the euphoria of welcoming their bundle of joy, there can be moments of overwhelming fatigue, self-doubt, and a spectrum of emotions that may catch them by surprise. Hormonal fluctuations, coupled with the demands of caring for a newborn, create a unique emotional landscape. It's crucial for new mothers to recognize and embrace this range of feelings, seeking support when needed, and understanding that these emotions are a natural part of the transformative journey into motherhood.

Poster

10 Apr 2024

Navigating Suicide Prevention: Understanding Risk, Building Resilience, and Fostering Community Support ***please register using the poster only***

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Presented by: Cole Smith, Child and Youth Care Worker and Josh Shelley, Social Work Student from MRU.
Woods Homes Crisis Counseling Team

This presentation delves into the critical aspects of suicide, including the assessment of suicide risk. It explores commonly held beliefs surrounding suicide, addressing the impact of trauma and stress on mental health.

The discussion extends to proactive suicide prevention measures, emphasizing the development of safety plans and the cultivation of resilience. Additionally, the presentation underscores the significance of community support in creating a holistic approach to addressing and preventing suicide.

Poster

11 Apr 2024

Supporting Youth Who Use Substances: A Guide for Navigating Youth and Substance Use***please register using the poster only***

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Presented by: Thressa Zilinski, BSc Food & Nutrition and Laurie Hunter, RSW, BSW.
North Zone Mental Health Promotion- AHS

This workshop focuses on understanding youth substance use and treatments available. Participants will learn to identify problematic youth substance use, describe caregiver strategies for talking to youth and substance us, and navigate the stages of change

Poster

15 Apr 2024

Navigating Peer Rejection in Childhood ***please register using the poster only***

6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Presenter: Vanessa Siso, R. Psych, Primary Care Network (PCN)

• Understanding Peer Rejection:
Understand the causes of and impacts of peer rejection based on current research.

• Building Resilience:
Discuss preventive measures to mitigate the negative effects of peer rejection before they occur.

• Support Strategies:
Learn to implement practical approaches to address the needs of both rejected children and those exhibiting rejecting behaviors.

Poster

16 Apr 2024

Vaping & Youth ***please register using the poster only***

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Presented by: Health Promotion Facilitators, Community Health Promotion Services (CHPS), Mental Health Collaborative, Alberta Health Services

Across Canada, e-cigarette use, also known as vaping, is reaching new heights amongst teenagers. This presentation will focus on common devices used for vaping, substances vaped such as nicotine and cannabis, and the health risks associated with vaping. We will present on how to engage in challenging conversations with your young person regarding vaping.

Poster

17 Apr 2024

ADHD & Executive Functioning ***please register using the poster only***

10:00 AM - Noon

Presented by: Tashia Christie, BA (Honours) Psychology & Melissa Ramsay BSW, RSW
Rocky View School Division and MHCB Stepping Stones to Mental Health

The session will be an overview of ADHD and how issues with impulsivity and/or inattention impact children's ability to manage their environments. The session will also explore the impact ADHD has on Executive Functioning and how it relates to managing everyday tasks, and meeting daily expectations at home and at school, including social, emotional, behavioural and academic demands.

Poster

18 Apr 2024

Navigating Technology with our Youth ***please register using the poster only***

Noon - 1:30 PM

Presented by: Andrea Halwas Larsen, in partnership with Juno House

In this 1.5 hour presentation, we will discuss the role of technology and today’s youth. The message of this presentation is not only based on technology, but also about a child’s healthy brain development and the necessary parenting/caregiver role in creating healthy, emotional, regulated, and integrated brains. This presentation will address the underpinning of a child’s emotional brain development and how to grow it, as well as how technology can dangerously hijack this.

We believe that talking does not grow neurons; experience grows neurons. This workshop is designed to give attendees the skills to become their child’s emotional coach. The workshop will provide participants with:
• An understanding of the basic neuroscience behind healthy brain development,
• The dangers of technology for healthy brain development,
• Technology use rules that will help your child
• When building healthy brains, how to identify emotions in your child/student, and
• How to become your child’s/student’s emotional coach in only five steps and in that, build a resilient child.

The presentation is facilitated by a therapist from Juno House who has years of both clinical and facilitating experience. Juno House was founded in 2008 as a Centre of Excellence for adolescent girls and young women who are experiencing anxiety-based mental health issues of self harm, obsessive compulsive disorders, depression and eating disorders.

Poster

22 Apr 2024

Unhealthy Relationships and Dating Violence ***please register using the poster only***

6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Presenter: Nathan Moore, RCMP

• Learn the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships
• Discuss the impact of unhealthy relationships and dating violence on victims
• Discuss the legal consequences of dating violence
• Examine Strategies for preventing unhealthy relationships and responding to dating violence

Poster

24 Apr 2024

Working Together to Prevent Technology Based Child Sexual Abuse ***please register using the poster only***

10:30 AM - Noon

Presented by: Cynthia Muszynski, MSW, Director of Programs and Integrated Practice & Sandi Pineda-Selva, MA, Manager of Prevention Services, Luna Child and Youth Advocacy Centre

This session will explore how technology is changing the impacts of child sexual abuse including issues such as sextortion, sharing of intimate images and child sexual abuse material. Participants will also learn how to recognize, respond and report child abuse emphasizing the community's collective role in child abuse prevention.

Learning Outcomes:

1) Participants will understand the risks associated with technology-based child abuse
2) participants will learn about how technology is being used in child sexual abuse
3) participants will learn how to recognize, respond and report child abuse

Poster

25 Apr 2024

Unraveling the Relationship Between Mind Wandering and Executive Function in Childhood ADHD ***please register using the poster only***

Noon - 1:30 PM

Presented by: Fiza Hasan, BSc Hons in Psychology (2022), MA in Psychology & Law (Current)

The current study examined the link between mind wandering frequency and its impact on executive function skills in children (ages 8-12) with ADHD. Participants will learn about cognitive abilities useful in understanding and addressing the dynamics of mind wandering in ADHD. Furthermore, the study findings may hold relevance in academic or home settings to help children better regulate their attention.

Poster

14 May 2024

Video Gaming & Youth ***please register using the poster only***

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Presented by: Health Promotion Facilitators, Community Health Promotion Services (CHPS), Mental Health Collaborative, Alberta Health Services

Video gaming is accessible to virtually everyone including our children. In Canada, gaming is a billion dollar industry. This session will look at the video gaming prevalence among genders and age groups, impact on major life areas, and strategies to encourage a more balanced approach to gaming.

Poster

17 May 2024

Executive Functioning Essentials for Parents ***please register using the poster only***

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Presented By: Tanya Keto (MEd), Registered Psychologist
Clinic Director of AVERY Family and School Psychology Services

Executive Functioning (EF) refers to the behaviour management system of the brain. These cognitive processes tell us what to do, when to do it, and how well to do it. Individuals with Learning Disabilities and/or ADHD may experience increased difficulty in the development and use of these functions compared to their same-aged peers. When kids struggle to regulate their executive functioning it can result in lower grades, lack of motivation, school avoidance, social difficulties, anxiety and stress. But these “problem behaviours” are simply symptoms of unmet needs. Join Tanya to learn how difficulties with executive functioning could be causing problem behaviours and what you can do to help!

Poster

06 Jun 2024

Learn to Live with Anxiety Series: Mind Body Connection ***please register using the poster only***

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Presented by: Thressa Zilinski, BSc Food & Nutrition and Laurie Hunter, RSW, BSW.
North Zone Mental Health Promotion- AHS

This workshop increases understanding on anxiety and supports skill building to cope. Participants will identify signs and symptoms of anxiety, review strategies and tools to decrease anxiety, and develop a personalized action plan for anxiety

Poster

07 Jun 2024

ADHD Essentials for Parents ***please register using the poster only***

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Presented By: Tanya Keto (MEd), Registered Psychologist
Clinic Director of AVERY Family and School Psychology Services

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in children. It is usually first diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adulthood. Children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviours, or over-activity. There are three different types of ADHD, depending on which symptoms are strongest in the individual, and each of these subtypes may impact children differently. Neurological deficits, not unwillingness, keep kids with attention deficit disorder from learning and behaving in expected ways. Adults are key in setting these students on a path to success! In this session, we will discuss ADHD diagnosis, the ADHD brain, ADHD as a disorder of Executive Functioning, treatment, and setting kids up for success.

Poster