We are only beginning to understand the significant connections between our mental and physical health. Join us for a webinar on Building Mental Health Resiliency to learn about the "mix of six," resiliency factors that contribute to health and well-being. These resiliency factors: love and support, stress management, sleep, physical activity, diet and healthy environment, can be supported by mind-body practices that reduce stress, including the practice of mindfulness.
Bess Yang and John Wang will present an overview of Mental Health Resiliency. (Bios to be updated shortly.)
Xun (John) Wang is a Psychologist-in-training who is finalizing his last year of graduate study specializing in School and Child Psychology at the University of Calgary. John has a well-rounded understanding of mental health and early intervention, as well as the unique needs and barriers to services encountered by marginalized populations. Currently, he works full-time as the Mental Health Counsellor at the Immigrant Education Society. As a staunch advocate for early intervention, John is also a certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor with the Mental Health Commission of Canada.
Bess Yang is a first-year Masters of Social Work student specializing in Clinical Social Work at the University of Calgary. Growing up in an immigrant family, Bess has a good understanding of the challenges and barriers to services encountered by marginal populations. Bess previously worked as a Community Helpers Program Coordinator, teaching individuals how to support others when faced with mental health challenges and how to connect them with community resources. She currently volunteers with the Calgary Alliance for the Common Good Mental Health Research Action team.
Doctors Linda Carlson and Bonnie Caplan will present on resiliency factors, such as mental health & nutrition and the benefits of meditation, yoga, and Tai Chi for stress reduction.
Dr. Linda Carlson holds the Enbridge Research Chair in Psychosocial Oncology, is Full Professor in Psychosocial Oncology in the Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary, and Adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychology. She is the Director of Research and works as a Clinical Psychologist at the Department of Psychosocial Resources at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre (TBCC), where she has worked since 1997.
Dr. Bonnie Kaplan is currently Professor Emerita in the Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. She has published widely on the biological basis of developmental disorders and mental health – particularly, the contribution of nutrition to brain development and brain function.