Presenter: Vince Pietropaolo, MA; General Manager, Mental Health Services Program, COSTI Immigrant Services
Date: February 22, 2017
Description
As Syrian refugees adjust to their new life in Canada, they follow in the footsteps of the many other refugees who came before them, facing many of the same challenges. As children typically adjust more quickly to the new society, including its language, norms and values, migration can put into question traditional family roles. "Dissonance" in values and expectations between children, parents, grandparents, extended family and the broader community can create conflicts and strain family relationships.
In this webinar, Vince Pietropaolo will discuss how resettlement can affect family dynamics, including potential impacts on mental health. His presentation will draw on COSTI's experience working with Syrian refugee families, as well as many other refugee groups before them. Vince will also share some advice and open a discussion on how service providers can support refugee families around these role transitions and cultural adjustments, and in doing so promote mental health and wellbeing.
Presenter biography
Vince Pietropaolo is the General Manager of COSTI Family and Mental Health Services. In his current position he works with ethno cultural communities in program design, development and implementation in the areas of mental health, domestic violence and problem gambling. Vince currently sits on the York Region Violence Against Women Coordinating Committee, the CAMH Problem Gambling Advisory Committee and the Ontario Resource Group on Gambling, Ethnicity and Culture and the North York Specialized Courts Advisory Committee.
Vince has presented on the issue of Domestic Violence, Men’s Violence and Problem Gambling at conferences in the United States and Canada. He has guest lectured at York University and Ryerson University.
Vince is also one of the Subject Matter Experts for the CAMH Refugee Mental Health Project and online course.
