Media Advisory - Resilience of mental health care providers to be focus of
11th Annual George Brown College Conference

Vancouver physician Dr. Gabor Maté to lead discussion on high stress demands

TORONTO, March 3 /CNW/ - Issues affecting mental health care providers' capability to effectively provide services will be examined Thursday, March 4 at the 11th Annual Mental Health Conference held by George Brown College's Centre for Preparatory & Liberal Studies.

The conference will explore factors to help foster resilience in self and others as a means of ensuring positive mental health, including personal histories, biological vulnerabilities and accumulation of stressful experiences that call upon them to balance the demands of their work with those of their own lives.

Dr. Gabor Maté, a Vancouver-based physician, author and expert on mental health resilience, will be the featured speaker at the conference and will deliver a keynote address on resilience and its connection to mental health issues and addictions.

    
    WHAT:     The 11th Annual Mental Health Conference at George Brown
              College. This popular conference, co-hosted by George Brown
              College and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH),
              is targeted to those working in the field of mental health and
              addiction. This year's conference will cover the topic
              resilience and its connection to mental health issues and
              addictions.

    WHO:      Media are welcome to interview the following George Brown
              College representatives and guests:

              -  Dr. Georgia Quartaro, Dean, Centre for Preparatory & Liberal
                 Studies
              -  Dr. Gabor Maté, Physician, Author and national expert on
                 mental health resilience
              -  Lisa Schmidt, Moderator & Director of Organizational
                 Development, CAMH
              -  Nick Doukas, Drug Treatment Court Liaison, CAMH
              -  Cheryl Peever, Manager, Women's Mental Health Program, CAMH
              -  Ainsworth Morgan, Teacher, Toronto District School Board

    WHEN:     Thursday, March 4
              Dr. Maté's keynote speech is between 9:20 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
              The experts' panel discussion will take place between 2:30 p.m.
              and 3:45 p.m.

    WHERE:    George Brown College, St. James Campus
              Financial Services Building, Room 406
              290 Adelaide St. East
    

About George Brown College

With nine out of 10 graduates hired within six months of graduation, Toronto's George Brown College has established a reputation for equipping students with the skills, industry experience and credentials to pursue the careers of their choice. From its two main campuses located across the downtown core, George Brown offers nearly 160 programs across a wide variety of professions. Students can earn diplomas, post-graduate certificates, industry accreditations, apprenticeships and four-year bachelor degrees. More than 22,000 students attend the College (full-time equivalent) with about 68,000 registered with the George Brown College School of Continuing Education. For more information, please visit www.georgebrown.ca.

For further information: Paul Zanettos, George Brown College, [phone] ext. 3428, [email protected]