MEDIA ADVISORY
Attention: Health, Education and Lifestyle Editors
ROLE OF CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN MENTAL HEALTH FOCUS OF12th ANNUAL GEORGE BROWN COLLEGE MENTAL HEALTH CONFERENCE
PSYCHIATRIST AND PROFESSOR DR. KWAME MCKENZIE TO LEAD DISCUSSION
TORONTO (March 3, 2011) – George Brown College’s 12th Annual Mental Health Conference, featuring psychiatrist and University of Toronto professor Dr. Kwame McKenzie, will be held Thursday, March 3, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This year’s conference will explore the role of cultural diversity in mental health and how innovative approaches must be used to challenge culturally normative and dominant conceptualizations of mental health and mental health practice – especially in a region as diverse as the Greater Toronto Area.
WHAT:
The 12th Annual Mental Health Conference is a popular conference, co-hosted by George Brown College and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). This conference, held at George Brown College, is targeted to those working in the field of mental health and addiction. This year’s conference will cover the topic cultural diversity and how it intersects with mental health and mental health practice.
WHO: Media are welcome to speak with the following conference guests and George Brown College representatives:
- Keynote Speaker: Dr. Kwame McKenzie, Psychiatrist and University of Toronto Professor
- Panelist: Jeff DHondt, Manager of Aboriginal Services, CAMH
- Panelist: Dr. Clare Pain, Co-Director Toronto Addis Abbaba Psychiatry Project and Psychiatrist, Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture
- Panelist: Baldev Mutta, Executive Director of the Punjabi Community Health Centre
- Panelist: Aseefa Sarang, Executive Director of Across Boundaries
- Panelist: Dawnmarie Harriott, Ontario Council of Alternative Businesses
- Panelist: Bonnie Wong, Executive Director of Hong Fook Mental Health Association
- Moderators: Dr. Akua Benjamin, Ryerson University School of Social Work; Dr. Georgia Quartaro, Dean, Centre for Preparatory & Liberal Studies, George Brown College
WHEN:
Thursday, March 3
Dr. McKenzie’s keynote speeches: 9:15 a.m.— 10:15 a.m./ 1:15 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Experts’ panel discussions: 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m./ 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
WHERE:
George Brown College, St. James Campus
Financial Services Building, Room 406
290 Adelaide St. East
WEB PAGE:
www.georgebrown.ca/mental-health-conference/
About George Brown College
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 148 full-time and 1,600 continuing education programs across a wide variety of professions to a student body of approximately 63,000 (including those enrolled in full-time, part-time and continuing education programs). Students can earn diplomas, post-graduate certificates, industry accreditations, apprenticeships and four-year bachelor degrees.
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For more information, please contact:
Paul ZanettosMedia Relations Consultant
George Brown College
Office: 416-415-5000 ext. 3428
Mobile: 416-893-5435
pzanetto@georgebrown.ca