Prince George city council endorsed a Mental Health and Addictions Accord document developed for local governments, mental health agencies and service organizations across central and northern BC during its meeting Monday night.
The document, which outlines shared responsibilities and commitments, is being developed in advance of the Mental Health and Addictions Symposium.
The city received a 46-page report from city administration that lists and describes the front-line agencies and non-governmental organizations that provide outreach programs in the Prince George area. That list can be found online here.
The North Central Local Government Association (NCLGA), Lheidli T’enneh First Nation, City of Prince George, and the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George are set to co-host the 2024 Mental Health and Addictions Symposium, titled A Pathway Forward, on Wednesday, Nov. 13 and Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024.
The event will be held at the Prince George Conference and Civic Centre.
The symposium aims to facilitate meaningful discussions around mental health and addictions, featuring a diverse lineup of presenters and experts from the field.
The program includes keynote speeches, plenary panel discussions, and six concurrent sessions, enabling participants to engage with community leaders and representatives from both local and Indigenous governments.
Highlighted speakers include:
- Corey Hirsch, former NHL goaltender and Olympic silver medalist
- Dr. Barbara Kane, head of the psychiatry department at University Hospital of Northern British Columbia
- Janine Stevenson and Andrea Durban from the Community Action Initiative
- Art Reynolds from BC Construction Safety Alliance and Ian Robb, chair of the Alberta Building Trades
- Dr. Paul Farnan, clinical associate professor at UBC
- Mike Skrypnek and Andrea Paquette from Stigma-Free Mental Health Society
- Acasia Preston, Raelene Hodgson, and Colleen Purcka from Foundry BC
- Laura Honey and Julia Hintermeister from Saplings Mental Health
In addition to the presentations, the Symposium will host tradeshow booths for resource and service agencies to showcase their offerings, promote networking, and foster connections with community leaders and officials. Interested parties can contact Heidi Martel at [email protected] for tradeshow booth inquiries.
One outcome of the Symposium will be the signing of the Mental Health and Addictions Accord, where participants will commit to principles and actions aimed at enhancing mental well-being and addressing substance misuse in their communities.
NCLGA president Judy Greenaway emphasized the Symposium’s importance, stating, “The program promises impactful discussions and insightful dialogue, providing opportunities for information-sharing, partnership building, and advancing joint advocacy and policy development.”
The symposium will take place at the Prince George Conference and Civic Centre, 808 Canada Games Way.
It runs from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 13 and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14.
For more information on registration, tradeshow booths, and sponsorship opportunities, visit the 2024 Mental Health and Addictions Symposium website, www.nclga.ca, or email [email protected].
Register at www.civicinfo.bc.ca/event/2024/NCLGA-Health.
Established in 1955, the NCLGA is the advocacy body for local government officials from 100 Mile House to the Yukon border and from Haida Gwaii to Alberta. The association represents more than 240 elected officials across 42 local governments.
