Being Proactive: Supporting Children & Youth Mental Health Conference - Feb 16-17, 2012

This two day conference explores the impact of violence, poverty, racism, loss/bereavement, abandonment and neglect, street/gang life, incarceration, and institutional and community apathy on the mental health of children and youth.

The conference takes place on February 16 and 17 , 2012 in collaboration with the Department of Justice (DOJ) Canada, the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) , the York Centre for Education and Community (YCEC), and the Ministry of Children and Youth Services (MCYS).

Participants will hear from keynote speakers and presenters involved in research and educational programs that address the effects of violence, poverty and racism (among others) on the well-being, mental health, school engagement, and academic performance of children and youth. Far too many of today's children and youth -- a significant number of them from racialized communities -- are experiencing, or are at risk of experiencing, poor physical and mental health as a result of their exposure to these
issues. Many become disengaged from schooling, invariably maintaining the inextricable link between academic disengagement and
involvement in the criminal justice system, the consequences of which are possibly poverty, incarceration, and death.

Thursday February 16, 2012
Community Forum & Dinner
5:00 PM (registration) - 9 PM
C.W. Jefferys Collegiate, 340 Sentinel Road,
North York, M3J 1T9

Friday February 17, 2012
8:00 AM (registration) - 4:30 PM
Novotel Hotel (North York), 3 Park Home Avenue,
North York, Toronto, M2N 6L3
Ministry of Children & Youth

To register for this FREE conference, please go to the following link:
http://beingproactive.blog.yorku.ca/