Three unique Canadian conferences serve as examples of networking, collaboration and learning opportunities for advocacy, partnerships and mental health promotion. These conferences focus on underserved and marginalized populations, including immigrants and refugees.
This national Muslim mental health conference has been organized annually since 2016 by the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, the Muslim Medical Association of Canada and Naseeha - Muslim Youth Helpline. National and international presenters and experts participate in the conference, along with a range of attendees including physicians, allied health service professionals and religious scholars.
Bring together and strengthen connections among health care providers, organizations, individuals with lived experience, students, spiritual leaders and researchers working with Muslim mental health issues in Canada.
Provide psychoeducation to the general public on mental health topics in the context of spirituality and Islam.
Decrease the stigma of mental illness within the Muslim community.
Increase access to mental health resources to the Muslim community.
Since 2007, this biannual conference has been presented and co-organized by several partners: Hong Fook, University Health Network (Toronto Western Hospital), Loft Community Services, Mount Sinai Hospital, Across Boundaries, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) and other collaborating hospitals and community mental health agencies. This exemplary academic-community partnership has brought together a wide range of academics, frontline service providers, managers, policy makers, consumers and other stakeholders. Participants critically reflect, dialogue, and learn about equity, diversity and inclusion issues to improve the mental health and well-being of diverse communities. The conference is accredited through the University of Toronto and has received excellent feedback from participants, drawing about 200 participants for each conference.
PEGASUS is an acronym built from the first letters of the themes of PEeace, Global Health And Sustainability. This bi-annual conference organized by the Pegasus Institute explores global health issues including climate change, environmental health, Indigenous health, nuclear disarmament, war and others. The goal is to advance awareness and knowledge of global health issues, both locally and abroad, framed through a lens of peace and sustainability. The conference brings together physicians, health care providers, students, health-related organizations and community members to share innovative ideas and concepts on the dynamics of global health and the socio-ecological determinants that affect health worldwide. A key outcome of the conference is the development and refinement of new ideas for advocacy and participation in global change toward peace, health and sustainable solutions. It is expected the conference also fosters a growing commitment toward global health service, as well as an appreciation for diversity, interdisciplinary learning and interprofessionalism within the field.