November 3 - December 8, 2020
Tuesdays from 1:00-2:30 PM EST

This course will run for 6 weeks beginning on Tuesday November 3, 2020 from 1:00-2:30PM EST.

1) Assessment: Getting help for mental health concerns | November 3, 2020

Families play a key role in supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to understand and get help for mental health concerns in the context of pandemic restrictions. This session will focus on risk factors for mental health issues and strategies for promoting wellness during COVID-19.

2) Empowering family caregivers to improve health care communication | November 10, 2020

This session will focus on key communication tools to support adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families to get the best health care possible.  We will introduce the Family Matters Toolkit, a resource to help: 1) manage common health issues; 2) talk about health issues and health care; and 3) navigate the health care system.

3) Mental health interventions: An introduction to treatment options for mental health concerns | November 17, 2020

This session will offer an overview of mental health interventions for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, a discussion of evidence-based treatments and strategies to manage mental health difficulties, and the impact of virtual adaptations to treatment during COVID-19.

4) Health care planning: Things to know about health care decisions | November 24, 2020

The session will focus on health care decision-making for your family member with an intellectual and developmental disability, including advance care planning. We will also share tips and practical tools to make this process easier.

5) Grief and loss | December 1, 2020

This session will focus on understanding the impact of grief and loss (e.g., loss of routines, loss of contact with family and friends) during COVID-19. We will also discuss the impact of grieving the loss of loved ones and strategies to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities grieving during this time.

6) Self-care: Caring for the caregiver | December 8, 2020

This session will focus on the family experience of caregiving, including the impact on parents and siblings during COVID-19. We will build awareness of family distress screening tools and evidence-supported inventions to promote caregiver mental health.

To register, click here.
For more information about this course please contact Tiz Volpe at Tiziana.Volpe@camh.ca or by phone at 416-535-8501 ext 30751.