Public Education
The robert Veltheer Lecture series
Thanks all the great psychiatrists, psychologists, physicians, other professionals, those who live with serious mental illness, and their families for their presentations at the Robert Veltheer Lecture Series thereby increasing understanding and respect.
We are honoured to have Richmond Hill Councillor Karen Cilevitz introduce our speakers. Her informed introductions add to the quality of our lectures.
WATCH OUR PAST LECTURES
Dr. Tom Ungar
Dr. Ungar will speak on the Mental Health Act. A question and answer session will follow the lecture.
This event has been postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Check back for updates or sign up for our newsletter to be notified of when this event will occur as well as other events happening.
Registration at secretary@home-on-the-hill.ca. Refreshments, tea and coffee. This event is free although a $20 donation is welcomed.
This event will feature speaker Dr. Richard O' Reilly on:
"Why the system fails families and what families can do about it"
Date: Friday, October 15th
Time: 10am until 2pm
Location: Oakview Terrace
Registration at secretary@home-on-the-hill.ca. The event is open to all family caregivers of those with severe and persistent mental illness.
Psychiatrist-in-Chief, St.Michael's Hospital, Associate Prifessor, Psychotherapies, Humanities and Educational Scholarship, University of Toronto
Home on the Hill 10th Anniversary Celebration
OUR PAST LECTURERS
Dr. Nick Kates
Chair and Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, and Associate Member of the Department of Family Medicine at McMaster University. He is Director of Programs at Hamilton Family Health Teams.
Family centred care in a collaborative care model with psychiatry and primary care
Ways to engage families and users in service planning, development, and design will also be discussed. A question and answer session will follow the lecture.
Date: Thursday, Mar 5th, Door open at 6:30 pm. Lecture begins at 7pm
Location: Plaza Suite, Richmond Hill Centre for Performing Arts, 10268 Yonge Street, Richmond Hill.
Registration at info@home-on-the-hill.ca Refreshments, tea and coffee. This event is free although a $20 donation is welcomed.
A VIDEO OF THIS EVENT CAN BE SEEN BY CLICKING THE ABOVE LINK TO OUR YOU TUBE CHANNEL.
Dr. David Dawson
Ask the Doctor: Schizophrenia
Thursday, November 7/2019 doors open at 7:30 pm, noted psychiatrist, Dr. David Dawson returns to answer more questions about Schizophrenia. Many did not get a chance to ask their questions during our May 10th event due to time constraints. He will be accompanied by two people who have schizophrenia who will describe their experience. This will be an interactive evening providing participants with needed information and also the opportunity to network. This event will be held at the Plaza Suite, Richmond Hill Centre for Performing Arts. Admission is free although a $20 donation is suggested to cover costs.
VIDEOS OF THIS EVENT CAN BE SEEN BY CLICKING THE ABOVE LINK TO OUR YOU TUBE CHANNEL.
Dr. Christopher Bowie
Queen’s Psychologist
Cognitive Remediation
Tuesday, September 17/2019 at 7 pm, Queen’s Psychologist Dr Christopher Bowie returns to discuss Cognitive Remediation. This talk will not be ‘too academic’ and is designed to reach a broad audience. Parents, those who have a psychotic illness, family members, as well as members of the public are cordially invited to this interactive discussion. Home on the Hill also cordially invites potential funders who may be interested in sponsoring a cognitive remediation program in Richmond Hill. Please check back closer to the time for more details. This event will be held at the Plaza Suite, Richmond Hill Centre for Performing Arts. Admission is free, although a $20 donation is suggested to cover costs.
A VIDEO OF THIS EVENT CAN BE SEEN BY CLICKING THE ABOVE LINK TO OUR YOU TUBE CHANNEL.
Dr. Lori Triano, psychiatrist, Dr. David Dawson and Joanna Cheung Art Therapist.
Professional and Personal Experiences with schizophrenia
May 10/2019. The public was invited to a luncheon (free for family caregivers) and panel discussion with psychologist, Dr. Lori Triano, psychiatrist, Dr. David Dawson and Joanna Cheung Art Therapist.
Dr. Lori Triano’s presentation covered her own personal and professional experience with schizophrenia. She is the current President of the Board of Directors of the Schizophrenia Society of Canada. She was joined by noted psychiatrist, writer and artist, Dr. David Dawson. Dr. Dawson’s presentation discussed the onset and trajectory of schizophrenia.
Joanna Cheung, Art Therapist and Social Worker from Markham Stouffville Hospital presented upon the history of art therapy, art therapy definition, effectiveness of art therapy, rationale for art therapy especially for clients who struggle to express themselves verbally. She included art work from patients who have provided consent. Joanna Cheung is a Certified Art Therapist and has practiced as a social worker for thirty years.
VIDEOS OF THIS EVENT CAN BE SEEN BY CLICKING THE ABOVE LINK TO OUR YOU TUBE CHANNEL.
Dr. Amir Barsoum
Marijuana Use and the Development of Mental Illness
Home on the Hill is delighted to welcome Dr. Amir Barsoum back to discuss the very important topic of marijuana use and the development of mental illness. This event is for members of the general public. Professionals from our community are also welcome. He will also discuss the opioid crisis. A “meet the professional” session will follow where audience participants can ask questions of Dr. Barsoum. This event is at 7 pm on Tuesday Feb 5, 2019 at the Richmond Hill Centre for Performing Arts. Door opens at 6:30 pm.
Registrations at robert@home-on-the-hill.ca
This lecture is free. For those who can make a donation, $20 is suggested.
Dr. Barsoum’s lecture will explore the relationship between marijuana and psychosis. He will describe the symptoms and signs of psychosis, and the current understanding of the biology of psychosis. He will also talk about the effects of marijuana in the brain, and explain the biological rationale as to how marijuana use may trigger psychosis.
Dr. Barsoum has been a practicing psychiatrist for 15 years. He is currently on staff at Markham Stouffville Hospital, where he practices general psychiatry. He is also on staff at Bellwood Health Services, an addictions facility in Toronto, where he provides consultation for patients with concurrent mental disorders and addictions. In the early part of his career, Dr. Barsoum worked at CAMH, (Queen Street Site), where he cared for patients with severe and persistent mental illness.
Dr. Barsoum’s February 5th Presentation Powerpoints can be accessed by clicking on the links below:
Psychologist Dr. Lori Triano
Lecture Series: Grieving the losses of those affected by serious mental illness.
Richmond Hill MP Majid Jowhari in foreground listens to Psychologist Dr. Lori Triano give her presentaion on “Grieving the losses of those affected by serious mental illness” at the Richmond Hill Centre for Performing Arts on November 6th. Thank you MP Jowhari for your support of Home on the Hill. We also say thank you to Councillor Karen Cilevitz for welcoming us all and to Councillor David West who also attended. Please see the video of this lecture by clicking the above link to our You tube channel.
Dr. Lori Triano
Personal Grief Management discussion
This event will take place at 6:30 pm Tue Nov 6th at the Plaza Suite in the Richmond Hill Centre for Performing Arts 10268 Yonge Street Richmond Hill.
Dr. Lori Triano will speak of her own personal grief over the tragic death of her son, and then move on to speak of the losses when one has a serious mental illness. She will give a general reference to the symptoms of serious mental illness such as schizophrenia which can be more than hallucinations such as cognitive losses. She will describe grief….what it looks and feels like….the grieving process….and some suggested strategies to cope (the big one being support, including the support of a professional). This presentation is for those with mental illness and their caregivers who also grieve. Her presentation will be followed by a “Meet the Professional” opportunity where audience members can ask questions. Dr. Triano will be introduced by our own local expert on coping with grief, Eleanor Silverberg BA Psych, MSW, RSW.
Here is Dr. Triano’s bio:
Dr. Lori Triano-Antidormi is a Registered Psychologist in the province of Ontario. She obtained her Ph.D from York University in 1998. Dr. Triano-Antidormi currently works in private practice in Hamilton, Ontario, in the areas of Clinical and Rehabilitation Psychology. She has particular interest and expertise in the area of grief and trauma, providing treatment to individuals who have been impacted by a violent crime, a traumatic incident, and/or who have experienced a significant loss. She is a former Board Member of Niagara Victim Services, and, she previously served as the Professional Consultant to Bereaved Families of Ontario, Hamilton-Burlington Chapter. Dr. Triano-Antidormi has given many invited presentations on the issues of grief and trauma, and she has been called upon by the media to speak on these topics. She currently sits on the Hamilton Chief of Police Committee for Police Interactions with People in Crisis. For her personal and professional advocacy in promoting social justice for those living with mental illness, Dr. Triano-Antidormi was the recipient of the Outstanding Achievement Award, presented by the Schizophrenia Society of Canada, 2013. She is the current president of the Schizophrenia Society of Canada Board of Directors.
A VIDEO OF THIS EVENT CAN BE SEEN BY CLICKING THE ABOVE LINK TO OUR YOU TUBE CHANNEL.
Psychiatrist Dr. Kamran Bordbar
Presentation on ADHD
Psychiatrist Dr. Kamran Bordbar will discuss ADHD as well as co-morbidities such as mood and anxiety. This presentation will be followed by a question and answer period. It will take place at the Parya Centre at 344 John St, Thornhill at 7pm April 24/2018. Registration at robert@home-on-the-hill.ca
PUSHBACK, a documentary about homelessness in Peterborough.
pushbackfilm.com/press/
The screening of this documentary will take place at the Plaza Suite, The Richmond Hill Centre for Performing Arts, 10268 Yonge Street, at 7pm, Wednesday, February 7th, 2018. All are welcome to this screening, which will be followed by a question and answer session involving the Director, Matthew Hayes and guests of the “Warming Room” in Peterborough. Coffee, tea, water and healthy snacks will be provided. For more information about this documentary click on the link: https://pushbackfilm.com/press/
For registration, information please access robert@home-on-the-hill.ca
Suggested donation is $20 or contribute what you are able to. Those who are homeless are very welcome and have free admission.
Dr. David Laing Dawson
De-escalation of People in Mental Health Crisis
Dr. Dawson conducted an interactive educational workshop on “De-escalation of People in Mental Health Crisis”on Wednesday November 8, 2017 at the Centre for Performing Arts, 10268 Yonge St., Richmond Hill.
Dr. David Dawson is a former professor of psychiatry at McMaster University, and Psychiatrist in Chief at Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital.
Members of York Regional Police, the OPP, Canada Border Services, TTC Security, and South Simcoe Police joined health care professionals and members of the community in this very informative discussion.
A VIDEO OF THIS EVENT CAN BE SEEN BY CLICKING THE ABOVE LINK TO OUR YOU TUBE CHANNEL.
Dr. David Goldbloom
Mental Illness and Stigma
7pm on Tuesday Sept 19th, 2017, Dr. David Goldbloom presented on Stigma, Illness and his recent book “How Can I Help, a Week in My Life as a Psychiatrist”.
Dr Goldbloom completed an honours degree, majoring in Government, at Harvard University and then attended Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar where he obtained an M.A. in Physiological Sciences. He trained at McGill University in Medicine and Psychiatry and is a professor of psychiatry at the University of Toronto. Dr. Goldbloom’s activities have been recognized and awarded by his peers and his students. He has authored numerous scientific articles and book chapters. He is the editor of two textbooks and the co-author with Dr. Pier Bryden of the best selling book “How Can I Help, a Week in My Life as a Psychiatrist”. He maintains an active clinical and teaching role at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health where he serves as Senior Medical Advisor. He served as Vice Chair and then Chair of the Board of the Mental Health Commission of Canada from 2007 until 2015.
A VIDEO OF THIS EVENT CAN BE SEEN BY CLICKING THE ABOVE LINK TO OUR YOU TUBE CHANNEL.
Dr. Bowie
Cognition and Cognitive Remediation in Psychotic Illness
Dr. Bowie is a Professor and the Director of Clinical Training in the Department of Psychology, and a member of the Psychiatry Department and Centre for Neuroscience Studies, at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. He is the Head Consulting Psychologist for the Head’s Up Early Psychosis Intervention Program in Kingston and a Clinician Scientist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto. His research interests focus on determining the causes and correlates, and developing treatments for, cognitive deficits in severe mental disorders such as schizophrenia and mood disorders. He completed his Ph.D. at Hofstra University in New York and was awarded the Association for Psychological Science’s award for Top Ranked Dissertation of the year. He is the author of over 125 peer reviewed scientific publications and several books and book chapters on cognition in mental illness, including a co-editor of: Cognitive Remediation to Improve Functional Outcomes. Currently he is leading multiple trials of cognitive remediation for severe mental disorders and studying early intervention for mental illness.
A VIDEO OF THIS EVENT CAN BE SEEN BY CLICKING THE ABOVE LINK TO OUR YOU TUBE CHANNEL.
Dr. Rustom Sethna
Bi-Polar Disorder
7 pm Thurs Oct 27, 2016, at the Plaza Suite, the Richmond Hill Centre for Performing Arts, Home on the Hill in partnership with the Pirooz Centre, which serves families of the Iranian Community, presents a lecture on Bi-Polar Disorder by Dr. Rustom Sethna. Dr. Sethna is Psychiatrist in Chief at Markham Stouffville Hospital, where services are provided to individuals suffering from severe persistent Major Mental illnesses across the lifespan. He is a Fellow of The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and has appointments at Queens and McMaster Universities, and The University of Toronto where he is an Assistant Professor and Lecturer respectively. He has subspecialty interests in Neuropsychiatry and Geriatric Psychiatry.
Susan Inman
What Families Need from the Mental Health System
Monday, June 20th, 2016, Author, parent, and advocate Susan Inman will present on “What Families Need from the Mental Health System”. This event will take place at the Plaza Suite, the Centre for Performing Arts, in Richmond Hill.
Susan will be introduced by you, Dr. Ivan L. Silver MD MEd FRCP(C), Vice-President Education, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto.
Susan’s presentation will focus on the varying needs that families coping with psychotic illnesses have, why we don’t have what is needed, and how we can work to improve mental health services.
Susan’s memoir: After Her Brain Broke, Helping My Daughter Recover Her Sanity has been recommended by the Mental Health Commission of Canada. It has been further recommended by NAMI and EUFAMI, which are the world’s largest organizations advocating for families coping with mental illnesses.
Susan’s many articles on mental illness policies have appeared in a variety of publications including the National Post, The Tyee, the BC Teacher Newsmagazine, the Province, and CMHA Visions magazine.
An archive of her many articles for Huffington Post Canada can be found at: www.huffingtonpost.ca/susan-inman/
Dr. Rustom Sethna
Cheif of Psychiatry at Markham Stouffville Hospital
The Symptoms of Psychotic Illness
7 pm Wed Nov 25, 2015, St Mary’s Anglican Church 10030 Yonge Street Richmond Hill
dr-sethnaDr. Rustom Sethna is the Chief of Psychiatry at Markham Stouffville Hospital, where services are provided to individuals suffering from severe persistent Major Mental illnesses across the lifespan. He is a Fellow of The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and has appointments at Queens and McMaster Universities, and The University of Toronto where he is an Assistant Professor and Lecturer respectively. He has subspecialty interests in Neuropsychiatry and Geriatric Psychiatry.
Registrations welcomed by contacting Kathy at kathleen.mochnacki@gmail.com
Please download and share our flyer for the event.
Please download Dr. Sethna’s PowerPoint presentation
Dr. Amir Baroum
The relationship between Marijuana and Psychosis
7 p.m. Wednesday, September 16, 2015, at St. Mary’s Anglican Church, 10030 Yonge Richmond Hill.
Dr. Amir Barsoum
Dr. Amir Barsoum
Dr. Barsoum’s lecture will explore the relationship between marijuana and psychosis. He will describe the symptoms and signs of psychosis, and the current understanding of the biology of psychosis. He will also talk about the effects of marijuana in the brain, and explain the biological rationale as to how marijuana use may trigger psychosis. In addition, Dr. Barsoum has invited a patient to talk about his experience of having suffered from marijuana addiction and marijuana-induced psychosis.
Dr. Barsoum has been a practicing psychiatrist for 15 years. He is currently on staff at Markham Stouffville Hospital, where he practices general psychiatry. He is also on staff at Bellwood Health Services, an addictions facility in Toronto, where he provides consultation for patients with concurrent mental disorders and addictions. In the early part of his career, Dr. Barsoum worked at CAMH, (Queen Street Site), where he cared for patients with severe and persistent mental illness.
This event has been generously funded by our partner, Canadian Mental Health Association of York Region and Simcoe County. All members of our Home on the Hill community are most cordially invited to attend this presentation. Participants may register at kathleen.mochnacki@gmail.com
Dr. David Dawson
professor of psychiatry at McMaster University, and Psychiatrist in Chief at Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital
Ask the Doctor
At St. Mary’s Church 10030 Yonge Street.*
Dr. David Dawson
Home on the Hill is pleased that Dr. David Daw son, former professor of psychiatry at McMaster University, and Psychiatrist in Chief at Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital, will conduct a second session answering questions from family care- givers who are supporting a loved one living with a serious mental illness. Members of the community are also most welcome to attend this event.
Home on the Hill is presenting this opportunity because families are often prevented from accessing health information that they need to
support their loved one. For example, under the current Personal Health Information Protection Act (2004), a relative who may be experiencing paranoia could refuse to sign a consent form that would allow families to have necessary health information. Recommendation 14.1 of the 2013 Family Guidelines of the Mental Health Commission states: “Develop and implement clear protocols for providing necessary information to family caregivers and require mental health service providers to follow them”. The Guidelines also recommends a “cultural shift” to an “individual and family model” of care. Until these recommendations are implemented, Home on the Hill is determined to provide necessary health information to families. Best practices state that client outcomes improve when family caregivers can access clinical guidance.
Ms. Ana Long
Caring for my Son with Mental Illness: A Family’s Perspective.
November 26, 2014 at 7:00pm at St. Mary’s Anglican Church Richmond Hill, ON
Ms. Ana Long will discuss her challenges and successes of providing care for her Schizophrenic son.
ana longAna is a Mother of three adult children, and a Registered Early Childhood Educator. She says, “My youngest son has schizophrenia with concurrent disorders. This illness has greatly impacted the quality of life for my son as well as for me and my family. This is a journey that has forced us into an array of eye-opening experiences, some horrendous and heart-wrenching, but some giving room for hope. Becoming educated in the matters of schizophrenia and related issues has been key to our daily survival, but the greatest source of hope lies in the empathetic non-judgmental professional and personal contacts which support us through our very many challenges.”
Ana will be introduced by Marvin Ross.
Marvin received the Hall of Fame Award in 2013 from FAME for recognition of his contribution to the public’s understanding of mental illness, and his untiring advocacy around mental health issues.
And Dr E Fuller Torrey, in his latest edition of the classic “Understanding Schizophrenia A Manual For Families”, called Mr Ross “one of the leading Canadian advocates for individuals with serious psychiatric disorders”.
Dr. Michael Sarin, M.D.,FRCP,CDE and Maria Ricupero, R.D.,CDE, MHSc
Promoting Healthy Living: Balanced Nutrition & Physical Activity for Mental Health
Presented by Dr. Michael Sarin, M.D.,FRCP,CDE and Maria Ricupero, R.D.,CDE, MHSc
September 10th, 2014; 7:00P.M St. Mary’s Anglican Church 10030 Yonge Street Richmond Hill Access to parking at McLatchy Lane just west of Yonge on Major Mackenzie on north side.
Overview There is a misconception that obesity is a condition brought on solely by one’s diet and lifestyle choices, but this is only one part of the puzzle. Research has shown that the factors contributing to weight gain, loss and management are variable and complex. This is particularly true for people living with mental illness who are being treated with antipsychotic medications. While these medications can be effective in the management of symptoms, they can also cause patients to be at a greater risk of weight gain, high blood pressure and associated health complications. This education session will present the metabolic influences of physical activity and its contribution to weight management and overall health for people living with schizophrenia and psychotic illness.
Presented by
Dr. Michael Sarin, M.D.,FRCP,CDE Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto Program Physician, Diabetes, Exercise & Healthy Lifestyle Program
Maria Ricupero, R.D.,CDE, MHSc Registered Dietitian Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation Program, UHN/Toronto Rehab Institute
Dr. Paul M. Kohn
PhD., Professor Emeritus & Senior Scholar, of the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health, at York University
Stress and Coping
Home on the Hill is pleased to have Paul M. Kohn, PhD., Professor Emeritus & Senior Scholar, of the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health, at York University as our speaker on Wednesday, April 30, 2014, at 7:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Anglican Church.
Parking is located at 11 McLatchy Lane, Richmond Hill. Dr. Kohn will speak about stress and coping, a subject that he has been researching for some year
Dr Kohn has his Honours BA in Psychology from McMaster and his AM and Ph.D. in Social Psychology from Harvard. Prof. Kohn has published 60 articles in refereed journals and 7 chapters in edited books. His main current research interests are in stress, adaptive coping and social support.
Admission is free. Donations are accepted.
For information call Robert Veltheer 905 883-9841
Home on the Hill is pleased to have Paul M. Kohn, PhD., Professor Emeritus & Senior Scholar, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health, at York University as our speaker on Wednesday, April 30 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Anglican Church, 11 McLatchy Lane, Richmond Hill. Dr. Kohn will speak about stress and coping, a subject that he has been researching for some years.
Dr. Mark Berber
How To Control Your Anxiety Before It Controls You!
Dr. Mark Berber, Psychiatrist, January 14, 2014,
The Home on the Hill Speakers’ Series was very pleased to have Dr. Mark Berber, staff psychiatrist at Markham Stouffville Hospital speak to us. After his informative and engaging presentation, Dr. Berber answered many questions from the members of the audience. Home on the Hill would like to thank Dr. Berber for his generosity in sharing his expertise on this important topic with the community. For more information, please visit Dr. Berber’s web site.
Dr. David Dawson, Psychiatrist, October 1, 2013, Schizophrenia in Focus.
Marvin Ross, Writer, Publisher and Documentary Film Maker – You can view a scene from Mr. Ross’s film Cutting for Stone here.
The Rev. Dr Derek Davidson, Deacon and GP Psychotherapist, An Overview on Mental Illness, March 19, 2013.
