OFCAN 
Browse below for many Community of Interest Conferences and Events.
To have your event featured on our website and our monthly e-bulletin, contact us at familycaregivers@ofcan.org
2022 OFCAN STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS
February 15 10am – 12 pm
April 19 10am – 12 pm
June 21 10am – 12 pm
September 20 10am – 12 pm
November 15 10am – 12 pm
Virtual Family Information Sessions at The Royal
Managing Distress and Crises: Approaches to Communicate, Collaborate and Cope
May 31, 2022, 6:00 – 7:30 PM
This event, which is presented by Dr. Philip Grandia, explores different approaches to managing loved ones’ mental health challenges, distress, aggression and crises through communication, engagement, and coping. It’s an opportunity to discuss how to support an individual when things become challenging. Learn More
Encouraging Family Caregivers Toward a Balanced Lifestyle
June 21, 2022, 6:00 – 7:30 PM
Family caregivers often ignore their own self-care. Leisure and recreational activities can help a caregiver maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle. Learn how to manage your self-care through leisure activities with Barbara Cathcart, Recreation Therapist at The Royal. Learn More
Mental Health Rights and The Law
March 23, 2022, 12:00 – 1:00 PM
This free, online event, hosted by RBC Patient and Family Learning Space at CAMH, will provide a basic overview of mental health legislation and related avenues for advocacy. Lucy Costa, Deputy Executive Director of the Empowerment Council, will discuss the Mental Health Act, the Psychiatric Patient Advocacy Office, the Human Rights Code and the role of people with lived experience in the evolution of human rights work in Ontario. Register
Virtual Family Information and Support Groups at The Royal
The Family Support Program at The Royal offers a variety of resources to meet family caregivers’ needs for information, education and support through their mental health journey. Weekly Family Information and Support Groups are hosted through Zoom, live every Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. Every group has a different theme, all of which focus on providing support and resources to families and loved ones of those with mental health challenges. These groups are not exclusive to those with connections to The Royal, and serve as valuable resources for anyone navigating the mental health system. They are open to all and free to attend, although registration is required.
Topics for March include:
March 8 – Talking About Suicide: From Science to Support
March 22 – Professional Guidance for Substitute Decision Makers
March 29 – What is Peer Support and How Can It Help?
Under the Lens: An Important Discussion on Mental Health & Housing
March 9, 2022, 12:00 – 1:00 PM
You can’t have good mental health without housing. Far too many people living with mental illness face an extra layer of difficulty because, on top of a housing and homelessness crisis, it’s hard to find housing that includes mental health support. Royal Ottawa Health Centre President and CEO, Joanne Bezzubetz, welcomes panelists to a virtual discussion on the inseparable link between mental health, housing and the homelessness crisis. As members of the Alliance to End Homelessness Ottawa, the panel of experts is proud to speak about the Starts with Home Campaign and share evidence-based affordable housing solutions. They will also discuss various Housing First initiatives, including At Home/Chez Soi and Making the Shift. Register
OHA Patient Experience Community
March 23, 2022 – 12:00 – 1:30 PM
Join the Ontario Hospital Association’s Community of Practice for their next meeting to discussHow to Support Patients, Caregivers and Health Care Workers when Complaints go Askew. The mandate of this CoP is to collaborate as an ongoing provincial community to drive enhancements in the collection and use of patient, client and caregiver experience data to improve Patient and Family-Centred Care. Register here
Engaging for Impact: Inspiring Innovation in Client and Family-Centred Care
March 25, 2022 8:15 AM – 3:15 PM
Join client and family advisors, healthcare professionals, researchers and leadership from across the region to collaborate in a discussion to explore innovative concepts for client and family-centred care. The one-day virtual conference is sponsored by the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre. Conference participants will learn simple and practical methods to ensure client/family centredness becomes and remains the dominant paradigm in their own work and will be left feeling inspired and optimistic about the future of care provided by the organization. Learn More & Register
A Free Education Event on Youth Bipolar Disorder
March 30, 2022, 6:30 – 9:00 PM
CAMH’s Centre for Youth Bipolar Disorder (CYBD) invites you to their annual public education event hosted on World Bipolar Day! In this virtual event, you will learn about current research, listen to a youth patient share lived experience and see Margaret Trudeau’s keynote address. CYBD is dedicated to increasing awareness, reducing stigma and inspiring hope for families who are affected by bipolar disorder. Learn More & Register
