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FASD & Mental Health, It’s All Connected Virtual Conference
April 27, 2022 | In: Events
The Lakeland Centre for FASD will be hosting their 3rd Virtual Conference this year with the theme of FASD & Mental Health, It’s All Connected. Individuals with FASD face significant mental health challenges as a result of their disability. Individuals with FASD experience higher rates of mental illness than the rest of the Canadian population. An estimated 90% of people with FASD experience an additional mental health diagnosis.
Mental health is an extremely important consideration when discussing the needs, supports, and resources for individuals with FASD. The problem is that traditional therapeutic approaches to addressing mental illnesses are ineffective when they do not take into consideration the unique brain profile of individuals with FASD. It’s time to take a holistic approach in understanding that the mental health of people with FASD is influenced and impacted by many variables including: their physical health and well-being, their use of substances, involvement with the Justice system, suicidal thoughts or attempts and being unhoused, as well as the level of understanding by their support systems. With an integrated approach to mental health and wellness that is FASD-informed, we will see better health outcomes for individuals with FASD.
The Lakeland Centre for FASD virtual conference will provide a national forum for researchers, policy makers, and service providers with an interest in FASD to share research, evaluation, experience, and practices related to FASD and mental health. It will bring awareness to issues related to mental health and mental illness for those diagnosed with FASD and their support systems. Coming together for these important holistic conversations will foster a commitment to advance the knowledge and implementation of evidence informed strategies and programs.
The Lakeland Centre for FASD would like to share this Virtual Conference information with your organization and invite you to join us at our FASD and Mental Health Conference, October 5 & 6, 2022. If you would like further information please contact us at [email protected] or give us a call at 780-594-9905
ABOUT LCFASD
The Lakeland Centre for FASD provides cost-free programs and services in the Cold Lake, Bonnyville, St. Paul and Lac la Biche areas, as well as on First Nations and Métis Settlements through Alberta.
