In March, the Family Resource Center of the Haut St-Laurent, in collaboration with the Public Health Agency of Canada, organized two successful provincial training seminars on prevention in child mental health. They also produced six informative videos with valuable information on how to recognize and deal with issues like ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorders, now available on YouTube.
In November 2015, Jean-Philippe Bernard, Senior Program Officer of Public Health Programs contacted Sylvie Trépanier of The Family Resource Center to propose the colossal mandate of organizing two symposiums in a short period of time. « It’s you we want. You are the best in Quebec, » Mr. Bernard said during his call to Ms. Trépanier. The organizing committee included: Executive Director of the Family Resource Center, Sylvie Trépanier, Deputy Director, Karène Montpetit, and Executive Assistant, Johanne De Francesco, who rose to the challenge of this sizeable request.
They searched to find a recognized expert who could provide training to practitioners working with parents on a specific theme: child mental health. Quickly, France Paradis, remedial trainer, speaker, and author responded to the call. After four months of intensive preparation, the two seminars were given to a record number of participants on March 8 at Nouvel Hotel & Spa Montreal, and on March 16 at the Plaza Hotel in Quebec.
At the seminars, specialist France Paradis presented on four child mental health disorders: anxiety disorder, attachment disorder, autism spectrum disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Participants learned how to observe and recognize these disorders and how to communicate effectively with parents to support and assist them. Participants also received bilingual practical kits. Six bilingual accompanying YouTube videos were also produced to allow the public ongoing, easy access to this valuable information.
The postmortem feedback on the project from Mr. Bernard was exceedingly positive. « I’ve worked with many organizations for over thirty years and the team of the Family Resource Center Haut St-Laurent is certainly in the top three of the most efficient and organized. It was a pleasure working with them. »
To watch the videos search: “Prévention en santé mentale infantile” on YouTube or go to: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEAGaDnp2fHoOcEOC0cvXCA
Special thanks to the Family Resource Center for content.
