This project has hosted webinars since 2012 to promote learning, information sharing and to stimulate conversation on topics that we hope are relevant to your practice. Many of the archived webinars are part of the former project, the Refugee Mental Health Project. Since September 2017, webinars have encompassed the expanded scope of newly-arrived immigrants and/or refugees.

Our webinars are one-hour sessions that include a 30-minute presentation by professionals in the settlement, social or health services sectors followed by a 30-minute question and answer session where we encourage you to ask questions, pose scenarios and to generally discuss your practice with these experts in the field.

Upcoming webinars

Building resilience: Supporting refugee men's mental health

With Vince Pietropaolo ,General Manager of Family and Mental Health Services, COSTI

November 13, 2024 (1:30 - 2:30 EST)

Webinar description

This presentation will focus on the mental health challenges refugee men may face as they adjust to life in a new country. It will explore critical risk factors, protective elements, and effective coping strategies to enhance their well-being. Aimed at settlement workers, this session offers trauma-informed tips to respond to refugee men and refer them to appropriate mental health services.

Join this webinar with Vince Pietropaolo and after attending you will:

• understand the refugee experience
• understand the trauma experience of refugee men
• learn about the risk and protective factors for mental health
• adapt and employ trauma-informed tips for responding to refugee men.

About the presenter

Vince is the General Manager of COSTI’s Family and Mental Health Services. In his position, he works with ethnocultural communities in program design, development, research and implementation in the areas of mental health, gender-based violence, problem gambling and excessive technology use and dementia.

Vince sits on the North York Specialized Courts Advisory Committee, National Trauma-Informed Care Project National Advisory Committee and is a member of the Canadian Dementia Learning and Resource Network. He is also a Subject Matter Expert with the Immigrant and Refugee Mental Health Project at CAMH.

He recently designed and implemented the Refugee Mental Health Program and the Senior’s Dementia Day Program at COSTI.

Vince has presented extensively on the issue of Gender Based Violence, Mental Health Caregiver Stress, Trauma Informed Practice and Problem Gambling and Excessive Technology Use at conferences in the United States and Canada.

He has guest lectured at York University, Ryerson University, University of Toronto and is a part time faculty member at Seneca College, Toronto.

Webinar recordings

Now online:

Supporting Journeys to Resettlement: Utilizing Protective Factors

With Remilekun Oniyide, MB; BS, MSc Public Health, Family Specialist, The Immigrant Education Society (TIES), Calgary, Alberta

October 2, 2024

Recording password: CAMHirmhp0110

Webinar description

Newcomers often face a myriad of challenges including language barriers, cultural adjustments, housing instability, and social isolation. These challenges can profoundly impact their mental health and overall well-being. As professionals, our role is to support these journeys, providing the tools, resources, and community connections necessary to help individuals and families not only survive but thrive in their new environments.

In this webinar, we will explore an integrated approach to resettlement, emphasizing the importance of protective factors, intersectionality, community-based mental health support, and key principles of culturally sensitive crisis management.

After attending this webinar you will be able to:

• Identify what a protective factors approach entails and why it is essential for successful resettlement.
• Describe how various aspects of identity (race, gender, socioeconomic status) intersect and affect resettlement experiences and how intersectionality is applied in resettlement support.
• Define why a community-based approach to mental health support can be beneficial to newcomers with settlement challenges.
• Know the importance of cultural sensitivity and how to incorporate it into crisis intervention strategies.

About the presenter

Remilekun Oniyide is an internationally trained medical graduate with a Master of Public Health from the University of Northampton. With a robust background in both clinical and public health domains, she has dedicated her career to improving the health and well-being of diverse communities.  
Currently serving as the Family Specialist at The Immigrant Education Society (TIES), she plays a pivotal role in delivering comprehensive support to newcomer individuals and families. Her expertise encompasses a wide range of areas, including mental health, with a particular focus on culturally sensitive and inclusive care. 
With a deep understanding of social determinants of mental well-being and family dynamics, she is passionate about nurturing the well-being of individuals and families through holistic and empowering initiatives. Her mission as the Family Specialist at TIES is to facilitate positive transformation that fosters strong mental wellness and emotional connections in the lives of newcomers and vulnerable families in Canada. 

Archive:

Note that webinar recordings contain the presentation of the topic only; the question and answer session is not recorded.

• Specific populations and issues
  These webinars highlight strategies for supporting particular immigrant and refugee groups, or highlight specific issues in supporting immigrant and refugee mental health.
• Support and treatment considerations
  These webinars will focus on specific considerations for providing effective treatment to recent immigrants and refugees.
• Successful or promising practices
  These webinars outline innovative and unique approaches/programs for supporting the mental health of newly-arrived immigrants and refugees.