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
How to promote sleep health in refugee populations
With Hyrar Attarian, MD, FCCP, FAAN, FAASM; and Michael Mak, MD, FRCPC, DRCPSC, FAASM
Thursday, June 19, 2025; 1:30 – 2:45 P.M. EST
Trauma, torture, and war are all known contributing factors to sleep disparities among refugees. Sleep disturbances, particularly insomnia and nightmares, occur with a higher prevalence among refugees. Sleep disorders are intimately linked to mental health disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety.
This webinar will explore the unique challenges and strategies to improve sleep health among refugee populations.
Dr. Michael Mak will introduce general sleep disturbances, epidemiology, and health risks.
Dr. Hrayr Attarian will discuss sleep health, disturbance and management tips in refugee populations based on his work among refugees from the Middle East, Latin America, and Ukraine.
Presenters:
Dr. Hrayr Attarian is a Professor of Neurology and Sleep Medicine at Northwestern University in Chicago. His primary research interests are: 1) Sleep disorders in refugees and its impact on quality of life. 2) Health disparities (economic, ethnic, and gender based) in sleep medicine. He is interested in the role of sleep in global health as well as mentoring physicians and other health care workers from local and international schools. His primary clinical focus is diagnosing and treating sleep disorders, particularly those in neurological illnesses.
Dr. Michael Mak is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto. Dr. Mak has served as the Clinical Vice President of the Canadian Sleep Society since 2023. He is a standing member of the Royal College Area of Focus Competence Committee in Sleep Disorder Medicine. He is the President-Elect for the Canadian College of Neuropsychopharmacology. His research interests are the: 1) Management of insomnia and 2) Study of sleep and psychiatric disorder interface.
Webinar recordings
Now online:
Workplace stress and mental health in the settlement sector
Workplace stress and mental health challenges among Canadian settlement service providers have intensified, particularly in the aftermath of COVID-19, significantly impacting employee well-being. Despite the sector's critical role in integrating immigrants and refugees amid unprecedented migration, limited research exists on these issues. To address this gap, the Canadian Mental Health Association (Toronto branch), in collaboration with Toronto South West Local Immigration, conducted an online survey of settlement sector employees.
At the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Gain an understanding of the extent of workplace stress and burnout among settlement sector employees in Toronto, based on survey findings.
- Understand the key factors contributing to stress and burnout as well as the factors, which positively impact employee mental health.
- Learn about employee-recommended changes to improve mental health in the workplace.
Archive:
Note that webinar recordings contain the presentation of the topic only; the question and answer session is not recorded.
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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.
