NEWS RELEASE
LAKEHEAD UNIVERSITY
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According to Statistics Canada, in 2022 more than five million people in Canada met the diagnostic criteria for a mood, anxiety or substance use disorder, with the prevalence of mood and anxiety disorders increasing substantially over the previous 10 years.
As the world continues to grapple with the aftermath of the global COVID-19 pandemic, it’s becoming increasingly evident that another crisis is looming: the mental health pandemic.
Beginning April 15, Third Age Learning Lakehead will host The Current Mental Health Pandemic, a five-part lecture series that will examine the current mental health crisis. From exploring the biopsychosocial/medical model of serious mental illness, to examining the role of resiliency in coping with crisis, these five talks will shed light on the complex world of mental health.
The series will open with Dr. Tanya Shute, an associate professor in the School of Social Work at Laurentian University. She will facilitate some introductory content from the biopsychosocial/medical model of serious mental illness/diagnosis, drawing upon her extensive experience of working in community mental health/problematic substance use/homelessness.
On April 24, Heidi Stanley will examine the field of addictions, suggesting that one’s own biases impact the way addictions are talked about. Heidi will discuss how, by shifting one’s own perspectives, communities might be able to better support individuals on a path to improved mental wellness.
The following week, Chris Peacock, executive director of The Sharing Place Food Centre, and Linda Goodall, executive director of The Lighthouse, will collaboratively speak to the local situation regarding mental health, specifically what brings community members to the point of needing support.
On May 8, Dr. Anthony Murkar, an assistant psychology professor at Lakehead Orillia, will explore current innovations in treatments for mental illnesses. He has published numerous papers in the areas of neuropharmacology of medicinal plants, with his primary research focusing on pre-clinical studies of novel pharmaceutical interventions for fear-based disorders (such as anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder).
The series will close on May 15 with a talk by Glenn Robitaille, director of ethics and spiritual care at Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care. Glenn will discuss how a significant mental health crisis creates loss and trauma, generally for the person and loved ones, and will outline how to cope with such loss using resilience strategies.
Join Third Age Learning Lakehead on Wednesday mornings to listen, share, and learn about the current state of mental health. This speaker series will be delivered in a hybrid format, allowing you to connect virtually or attend in person at the St. Paul’s Centre in Orillia.
More information, including how to register, can be found at www.lakeheadu.ca/tal.
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