--- title: "2025 National Conference: Youth Mental Health Canada 2025 National Virtual Conference" description: "Youth Mental Health Canada 2025 National Virtual Conference: May 30 to May 31, 2025, virtual. Agenda, speakers, and registration for Youth Mental Health Canada's national conference on school attendance challenges." url: https://ymhc.ngo/conference/2025/ --- Youth Mental Health Canada 2025 National Virtual Conference # Youth Mental Health Canada 2025 National Virtual Conference May 30 to May 31, 2025 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time Virtual This conference has taken place.[View the agenda](https://ymhc.ngo/conference/2025/#agenda)[Meet the speakers](https://ymhc.ngo/conference/2025/#speakers) ![](https://ymhc.ngo/_astro/ymhc-2025-conference-banner.DoA_Q0WJ_6tp1s.webp) **This is the 2025 conference, which has taken place.** See this year's conference for dates and registration. [This year's conference](https://ymhc.ngo/conference/) ## About the conference **Taking Action on Chronic School Absenteeism** Inviting all passionate education and mental health professionals, advocates for school attendance, engagement, and attainment, and believers in the life-changing power of education! YMHC (Youth Mental Health Canada) is thrilled to extend a warm invitation to an extraordinary national conference with international speakers, panel discussions, and the development of a national framework for supporting students in elementary and secondary education. This exclusive event promises to gather minds dedicated to improving school attendance locally, provincially/territorially, and nationally. We invite students, parents, organizations, scholars, legislators, researchers, school counselors, attendance counselors, social workers, pediatricians, and more, to join us in with innovative ideas and solutions. Be sure to check out our growing list of international speakers. **Networking, knowledge, and know-how for everyone passionate about school attendance and engagement:** Interact with colleagues from across Canada and internationally, as we work together to create a national network and framework for understanding and responding to school attendance challenges. - Find out about progress in the field from members of the International Network for School Attendance (INSA) - Contribute to plans for continued action in 6 key areas: policy, practice, education, research, tools for the field, and networking. - Share what works for students in your community: share news and views on chronic school absenteeism and school attendance issues. - Learn from international speakers; choose from dozens of presentations, round table discussions, and workshops. **Registration** - **Regular Registration:** $349 - **Group Rate:** For organizations planning to send multiple attendees, our group rate offers significant savings at $325 per person (minimum **15 attendees**). To arrange group registration, simply add 15 or more registrations to your order and the rate will be recalculated. Save $360 TOTAL when registering a team of 15! **Special Offer** All conference attendees will receive resources valued at $300 - the guidebook for schools on school-wide strategies to support students and the student workbook on upstream chronic school absenteeism prevention. ## Agenda All times are Eastern Time (ET). ### Friday, May 30, 2025 1. 10 a.m.10:30 a.m. #### School-Wide Strategies to Support Students with School Attendance Challenges - [John Rice](https://ymhc.ngo/conference/2025/#speaker-john-rice) - [Sheryl Boswell](https://ymhc.ngo/conference/2025/#speaker-sheryl-boswell) 2. 10:30 a.m.11:15 a.m. #### I wish you were here: Structural, clinical and relational approaches to presence in the classroom - [Heather Lash](https://ymhc.ngo/conference/2025/#speaker-heather-lash) - [Nora Ali](https://ymhc.ngo/conference/2025/#speaker-nora-ali) - [Priya Raju](https://ymhc.ngo/conference/2025/#speaker-priya-raju) 3. 11:15 a.m.12 p.m. #### EMBRACING a Compassionate and trauma-informed Approach to School Absenteeism - [Catriona O'Toole](https://ymhc.ngo/conference/2025/#speaker-catriona-o-toole) Session details What if we viewed school absenteeism not simply as a behaviour to fix, but as a signal of deeper disconnection, distress, or unmet needs? This keynote explores how trauma-informed, relational, and compassionate practice can help us reframe and respond to absenteeism in more supportive and meaningful ways. Drawing on the newly developed EMBRACE Framework, the talk will offer practical guidance for creating school environments where all young people feel safe, seen, and supported—especially those facing adversity. With a focus on relationships, reflection, and systemic change, this session invites educators and practitioners to move beyond quick fixes and towards school cultures that nurture belonging, equity, and healing. 4. 12 p.m.12:45 p.m. #### Riding the Wave: The Multi-Dimensional Multi-Tiered System of Supports Framework for Attendance - [Patricia Graczyk](https://ymhc.ngo/conference/2025/#speaker-patricia-graczyk) 5. 12:45 p.m.1:30 p.m. #### Universal Depression and Suicide Prevention Support for All Students: Screening in Schools with Triaged Response - [John Ackerman](https://ymhc.ngo/conference/2025/#speaker-john-ackerman) 6. 1:30 p.m.2:30 p.m. #### Mobilizing for Change: Insights from the Canadian School Attendance Partnership - [David Smith](https://ymhc.ngo/conference/2025/#speaker-david-smith) - [Jess Whitley](https://ymhc.ngo/conference/2025/#speaker-jess-whitley) - [Maria Rogers](https://ymhc.ngo/conference/2025/#speaker-maria-rogers) - [Natasha McBrearty](https://ymhc.ngo/conference/2025/#speaker-natasha-mcbrearty) 7. 2:30 p.m.3:15 p.m. #### Sources of Strength, a strength-based and upstream approach to mental health promotion and prevention of adverse outcomes - [LaTreece Roby](https://ymhc.ngo/conference/2025/#speaker-latreece-roby) 8. 3:15 p.m.3:45 p.m. #### Promoting Resilience across the School Community with Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) - [Molly Lawlor](https://ymhc.ngo/conference/2025/#speaker-molly-lawlor) Session details Join Dr. Molly Lawlor to explore Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) in children and adolescents. SEL is the process through whichchildren (and adults!) learn and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions, achieve goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish healthy relationships, and make caring and responsible decisions. Molly will explore the science of SEL including the factors that promote social and emotional development throughout childhood and adolescence. Molly will highlight how science informs practice with practical strategies for promoting children’s social and emotional development. 9. 7 p.m.8:46 p.m. #### The Grizzlies Movie We Matter Session details In a small Arctic town struggling with the highest suicide rate in North America, a group of Inuit students' lives are transformed when they are introduced to the sport of lacrosse. An unflinching and uplifting story of how northern youth transformed a town. From the producers of Angry Inuk and Beginners. ### Saturday, May 31, 2025 1. 10 a.m.11 a.m. #### Facilitating Collaborative Relationships with Parents/Caregivers: Education Support Teams - [Louise Engels](https://ymhc.ngo/conference/2025/#speaker-louise-engels) - [Louise Rogers](https://ymhc.ngo/conference/2025/#speaker-louise-rogers) Session details Define Fine is a team of professionals and parents with lived experience of school attendance difficulties. To our knowledge we are unique as a school attendance support focused organization as in addition to our online group parent peer support, we offer direct 1:1 support and case management at no cost to parent carers. We are a ‘not for profit’ and we work alongside other charitable organisations across SEND and mental health who share our values and ethos. We also provide CPD training to Local Authorities, Health and Education professionals. Our training fees for this work, as well as grants and donations fund our peer support. 2. 11 a.m.12 p.m. #### Indigenous Responses to School Attendance Challenges - [Joe Williams](https://ymhc.ngo/conference/2025/#speaker-joe-williams) - [Maceo Mercey](https://ymhc.ngo/conference/2025/#speaker-maceo-mercey) - [Nicole Manawatu-Brennan](https://ymhc.ngo/conference/2025/#speaker-nicole-manawatu-brennan) 3. 12 p.m.12:30 p.m. #### How Student-Lived Experience Advocacy Makes a Difference - [Melchior Wammes](https://ymhc.ngo/conference/2025/#speaker-melchior-wammes) - [Tialynn Campbell](https://ymhc.ngo/conference/2025/#speaker-tialynn-campbell) 4. 12:30 p.m.1 p.m. #### Human Rights in Education - [Wade Poziomka](https://ymhc.ngo/conference/2025/#speaker-wade-poziomka) 5. 1 p.m.2 p.m. #### Critical Data for Attendance Improvement - [Kim Wallace](https://ymhc.ngo/conference/2025/#speaker-kim-wallace) 6. 2 p.m.3 p.m. #### Exciting School, Community, and International Initiatives: Chile, Netherlands, Canada, Australia and Sweden - [Carolyn Gentle-Genitty](https://ymhc.ngo/conference/2025/#speaker-carolyn-gentle-genitty) - [Chiara Enderle](https://ymhc.ngo/conference/2025/#speaker-chiara-enderle) - [Lara Stauvermann](https://ymhc.ngo/conference/2025/#speaker-lara-stauvermann) - [Leanne Brooke](https://ymhc.ngo/conference/2025/#speaker-leanne-brooke) - [Yali Horta Hurtado](https://ymhc.ngo/conference/2025/#speaker-yali-horta-hurtado) 7. 3 p.m.3:15 p.m. #### Closing Remarks and Call to Action - [Sheryl Boswell](https://ymhc.ngo/conference/2025/#speaker-sheryl-boswell) ## Speakers - ![Portrait of John Ackerman](https://ymhc.ngo/_astro/john-ackerman.BPuUwv9q_jqMf0.webp) ### John Ackerman, Ph.D. Child Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Manager, Center for Suicide Prevention and Research at Nationwide Children's Hospital - United States Read biography John Ackerman, PhD, ABPP, is a child clinical psychologist and Clinical Manager of the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, OH. His team trains schools, healthcare agencies, and youth-serving organizations throughout Ohio in evidence-based suicide prevention, intervention and postvention best practices. Dr. Ackerman has a research interest in the treatment of mood disorders, neurocognitive risk factors for youth suicide, as well as digital health applications for suicide prevention. He has published on the influence of media on youth suicide and has developed guidelines for media professionals engaging with this topic. He recently co-edited an [open-access book](https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-06127-1) on youth suicide prevention best practices and policy implications. - ![Portrait of Nora Ali](https://ymhc.ngo/_astro/nora-ali.DkrnLUxD_9rKus.webp) ### Nora Ali Child and Youth Practitioner, The Centre for Addictions and Mental Health Read biography Nora Ali is a dedicated mental health and community worker with over a decade of frontline experience supporting Black youth and families. She currently works as a Caseworker at CAMH in the AMANI program (African, Caribbean, and Black Youth Mental Health Services), where she provides culturally responsive care and leads initiatives focused on identity, resilience, and healing. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Child and Youth Care . A lifelong learner, Nora continuously seeks to expand her knowledge and skills to better serve marginalized communities. With experience across education, shelters, and mental health settings, she is deeply committed to community-building, youth empowerment, and creating safe spaces for dialogue on racial trauma, wellness, and self-advocacy. Through her outreach, workshops, and school-based programming, she continues to champion mental health equity for Black youth across the GTA. - ![Portrait of Sheryl Boswell](https://ymhc.ngo/_astro/sheryl-boswell.BgYWo0Na_Z10DEQ8.webp) ### Sheryl Boswell Executive Director and Founder, Youth Mental Health Canada - Canada Read biography Sheryl Boswell is the Executive Director and Founder of Youth Mental Health Canada, a registered charitable non-profit organization focused on mental health education and youth leadership and engagement. YMHC focuses on evidence-based, strength-focused, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive tools for wellness that are proactive, practical, and empowering. Sheryl’s presentations, workshops, and courses consolidate her background in education, mental health and wellness, human rights and equity, and disability awareness and support. Sheryl started her teaching career as a Special Education teacher in Zimbabwe, Africa, where she lived for three years. Sheryl brings broad teaching knowledge from working with elementary, secondary, postsecondary, and adult education students in various educational institutions and facilities. Sheryl has written five mental wellness journal workbooks, 5 booklets/printables, and two resources for school attendance challenges: a guidebook on supporting students with school attendance challenges and a student workbook for upstream prevention. Sheryl is a member of the International Association of Youth Mental Health, International Network for School Attendance, International Association for Suicide Prevention, and other organizations focused on youth mental health, suicide prevention, and school attendance. [Organization website](https://sherylboswellymhc.ca/) - ![Portrait of Leanne Brooke](https://ymhc.ngo/_astro/leanne-brooke.Bgr5TxN__P6nQg.webp) ### Leanne Brooke Teacher and Registered Psychologist, Central Coast in NSW - Australia Read biography Leanne Brooke is a qualified teacher and registered psychologist who currently works as a School Counsellor (Advanced) in schools on the Central Coast in NSW, and as a psychologist for Heart and Mind Collective on Saturdays. Leanne is a 2025 recipient of the Anika Foundation Premier’s Teacher Scholarship and has a special interest in emotion-based school avoidance, neurodiversity, and anxiety-related difficulties. She has recently toured many schools around Australia to investigate what practices are most effective in re-engaging students with emotion-based school attendance problems. - ![Portrait of Tialynn Campbell](https://ymhc.ngo/_astro/tialynn-campbell.9MPDbBgZ_Z1vlXKu.webp) ### Tialynn Campbell Mental Health & Addictions student, Humber Polytechnic - Toronto Read biography Tialynn Campbell is a student in the Bachelor of Social Science – Addictions and Mental Health program at Humber Polytechnic in Toronto, Canada. She brings both academic insight and lived experience to her work, drawing from a personal understanding of the barriers that can complicate a young person’s relationship with school. Her journey has fostered a deep commitment to exploring how educational, mental health, and social service systems can more effectively support youth experiencing school avoidance and disengagement. Tialynn’s work spans youth mental health advocacy, community-based outreach, and the creation of accessible, culturally responsive resources. Her work with Youth Mental Health Canada involves advancing mental health education and creating tools that empower young people. With a focus on trauma-informed and equity-driven strategies, she believes meaningful solutions to chronic absenteeism must be rooted in care, flexibility, and the voices of young people themselves. - ![Portrait of Chiara Enderle](https://ymhc.ngo/_astro/chiara-enderle.APLc1ASk_1iHzxr.webp) ### Chiara Enderle Doctoral Researcher, Europa-Universität Flensburg Read biography Chiara Enderle is a doctoral researcher at Leipzig University and Europa-Universität Flensburg, currently a guest researcher at Stockholm University. She works on the SAPIC project, focusing on international comparisons of school attendance problems and mental health in Sweden and Germany. Her research centers on student and teacher perspectives, with a strong interest in amplifying young learners' voices around factors that support attendance and well-being. Her interests include school-wide multi-tiered support systems, student-specific teacher self-efficacy, and participatory research methods. - ![Portrait of Louise Engels](https://ymhc.ngo/_astro/louise-engels.B2RheSmE_e77GX.webp) ### Louise Engels Educator and Parent Advocate, Define Fine - United Kingdom Read biography Louise Parker Engels is a former primary school teacher and senior leader. ND parent of ND children. Co-Founder of Define Fine - providing parent peer support and advocacy for school attendance difficulties. - ![Portrait of Carolyn Gentle-Genitty](https://ymhc.ngo/_astro/carolyn-gentle-genitty.C2mZG7vF_4rjii.webp) ### Carolyn Gentle-Genitty Founding Dean, Founder's College at Butler University - United States Read biography Dr. Carolyn Gentle-Genitty is an esteemed educator, researcher, and advocate recognized for her impactful work in attendance and student mental health within educational settings. With a passion for enhancing student well-being, she has dedicated her career to reducing barriers that affect students' attendance and classifying absences for mental health as a separate type of absenteeism. As the Founding Dean of Founder's College at Butler University, she leads initiatives to support the needs of students while advancing academic access and success. Dr. Gentle-Genitty has authored numerous award-winning publications, including studies on absenteeism, truancy, and the interplay between attendance and mental health. Her work emphasizes the importance of classifying absences responding to underlying issues. She has presented extensively at conferences and testified as an expert witness on school attendance issues. As a full tenured professor, her leadership spans over 25 years in higher education, including roles at Indiana University where she developed online education programs, improved transfer policies, and supported first-generation and adult learners. Her validated school climate instrument Perception of School Social Bonding (PSSB)endorsed by the American Psychological Association offers schools ways to measure climate to support students' well being. A global researcher, she collaborates with policymakers and educators to create strategies addressing absenteeism and fostering student well-being world-wide. She is the co-founder of the International Network for School Attendance (INSA), former president of the International Association for Truancy and Dropout Prevention (IATDP), and Founder of Attendance USA. - ![Portrait of Patricia Graczyk](https://ymhc.ngo/_astro/patricia-graczyk.DNmTtaF4_HyDPP.webp) ### Patricia Graczyk, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology in Psychiatry, University of Illinois - United States Read biography Patricia A. Graczyk, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist and school psychologist in the state of Illinois and an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC).  Her current research interests focus on the utilization of a school-based tiered framework of evidence-based practices to promote school attendance, decrease school attendance problems and prevent and treat anxiety, depression and trauma in children and youth. Dr. Graczyk is active nationally and internationally in promoting school attendance and addressing school attendance problems. - ![Portrait of Yali Horta Hurtado](https://ymhc.ngo/_astro/yali-horta-hurtado.eF3q5WMq_1DTeCz.webp) ### Yali Horta Hurtado Early Education Attendance Counselor, Fundación Educacional Oportunidad - Chile Read biography I am an attendance counselor at Fundación Educacional Oportunidad in Chile. In 2008, I obtained my master’s degree in Elementary Education at the University of Miami and worked for 10 years in the field of early childhood and primary education in English as a foreign language in my country. Nowadays, I work and learn from educational leaders that want to improve school attendance by engaging and empowering all stakeholders in the process with a focus on early education. - ![Portrait of Heather Lash](https://ymhc.ngo/_astro/heather-lash.oMl8kJaK_2pxtHG.webp) ### Heather Lash Mental Health Auntie, Psychotherapist, Professor, Counselling Psychologist, Researcher, Seventh Generation Midwives Toronto, Vistas Psychotherapy and Wellness Read biography Heather Lash’s family is Saulteaux/Métis from Treaty 2 territory in Manitoba, and she’s called Toronto home for most of her life. She holds a B.A. in directing performance arts, an M.A. in ethics and refugee issues, and an M.A. in Counselling Psychology. Lash is the Mental Health Auntie within the Call Auntie program of Seventh Generation Midwives Toronto, an Indigenous-led family and sexual health practice. There she co-facilitates group programming and visits with community members one on one. She is also a psychotherapist in private practice at Vistas Psychotherapy and Wellness. Before focusing entirely on the counselling aspects of her role, for over 15 years Lash was a professor with a George Brown College (GBC) access/transition to post-secondary program, where most students were studying in contexts of challenges with mental health, recoveries, and otherwise disrupted lives. She developed and delivered supportive courses for mainstream and all-Indigenous cohorts while researching, writing, and presenting on the impacts of violence – structural and within developmental relationships – on how people learn, and how we might teach. Notable themes included Universal Design, Math Anxiety, as well as shame, mattering, and love in educational spaces. She continues to serve on GBC’s Research Ethics Board. - ![Portrait of Molly Lawlor](https://ymhc.ngo/_astro/molly-lawlor.B0ZJDKob_Z1mOIV0.webp) ### Molly Lawlor SEL and Mindfulness Consultant, Molly Stewart Lawlor Educational Consulting Read biography Molly Stewart Lawlor, PhD, is an expert in child and adolescent social and emotional development. Dr. Lawlor’s research includes the investigation of mindfulness and psychological adjustment in children and adolescents, and evaluations of social-emotional learning programs for children and adolescents in school settings. She is the lead author and serves as the Principal Scientific Advisor for the MindUP program (mindup.org), an evidence-based social emotional learning program grounded in neuroscience. Dr. Lawlor is also an advisor to children’s media projects including Peabody award-winning Stillwater (Apple TV), the award-winning Scout and the Gumboot Kids (Canadian Broadcasting Company), and Committee for Children’s Mind Yeti, a guided mindfulness app. Dr. Lawlor is an adjunct faculty member in the Faculty of Education at UBC, teaching in the area of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), and is an instructor for ECED in the area of social and emotional development in young children. Dr. Lawlor is passionate about bringing research to practice in order to make social emotional learning accessible for all children and their adults. - ![Portrait of Nicole Manawatu-Brennan](https://ymhc.ngo/_astro/nicole-manawatu-brennan.CrDWRqUw_BC52u.webp) ### Nicole Manawatu-Brennan Director, Tuahiwi Education Team - New Zealand Read biography Nicole Manawatu-Brennan is a born and raised Tuahiwi Pā kid. Nicole has served as a member of the Tuahiwi Education Team for more than a decade and is passionate about Māori success in education and beyond. Nicole is currently the Executive Director of operations for the New Zealand Carbon Group. She brings more than 20 years of experience in both the public and private sector. She has successfully delivered technically challenging and socially significant projects including Working for families, KiwiSaver, and Anchor projects for the Christchurch rebuild. Nicole manages the Kaitoko Matauranga on behalf of the Education Team and leads the Ngāi Tahu Education Ambassadors Project. Nicole is a member of the Institute of Directors and holds a number of directorships across Education, Health and Environment. - ![Portrait of Natasha McBrearty](https://ymhc.ngo/_astro/natasha-mcbrearty.DsOtVOTw_1aGCSK.webp) ### Natasha McBrearty Registered Psychotherapist and Health Administrator, Crossroads Children’s Mental Health Centre - Canada Read biography Natasha McBrearty, MA, RP, CCC, is a registered psychotherapist and health administrator at Crossroads Children’s Mental Health Centre. For over 20 years, she has worked with children, youth, and families in community mental health. Natasha thrives on participatory approaches to research that bring together a diversity of perspectives and center people with lived experience. Natasha’s research focuses on the relationship between school attendance and mental health, with a particular interest in self/co-regulation and family engagement and well-being. - ![Portrait of Maceo Mercey](https://ymhc.ngo/_astro/maceo-mercey.DSGk17iE_Z1cSKtv.webp) ### Maceo Mercey Student, McMaster University - Canada Read biography Maceo is a Red River Métis citizen and Jewish, raised in Toronto. He is an undergraduate student at McMaster University, studying Political Science and Biochemistry. Maceo has experience working in subsidized housing in Toronto and is passionate about public health and social justice. He is working as a summer student at YMHC as the Indigenous Outreach and Community Engagement Assistant. - ![Portrait of Catriona O'Toole](https://ymhc.ngo/_astro/catriona-o-toole.DdNAK-3f_ZWqJyf.webp) ### Catriona O'Toole, Ph.D. Chartered Psychologist and Associate Professor, Maynooth University Department of Education - Ireland Read biography Dr Catriona O’Toole is an Associate Professor at Maynooth University Department of Education and a chartered psychologist with PSI. Catriona’s research focuses on well-being and equity in education. She is particularly interested in the school experiences of children whose lives have been impacted by trauma and adversity. Her research incorporates lived experience and co-creation. Catriona has collaborated with international organizations like UNESCO, on their Futures of Education Report. She developed a bespoke website (www.traumainformededucation.ie) with charity partner, Alcohol Action Ireland, and she is currently collaborating with Kyrie Therapeutic Farm on a potentially transformative initiative for Ireland’s mental health services. Catriona is convenor of the European Health and Wellbeing Education Network and an Executive Committee member of the International Network for School Attendance (INSA). - ![Portrait of Wade Poziomka](https://ymhc.ngo/_astro/wade-poziomka.DwoDvP3F_Z2ccKek.webp) ### Wade Poziomka Human Rights Lawyer & Past Chair, Ontario Bar Association's Constitutional, Civil Liberties & Human Rights Section - Canada Read biography Wade is currently the Chair of the Canadian Bar Association's Constitutional and Human Rights Section Executive. He is the former 1st Vice President of ARCH Disability Law Centre. Wade is a lawyer in private practice focused on human rights litigation. - ![Portrait of Priya Raju](https://ymhc.ngo/_astro/priya-raju.Bx3G0K8w_jMTAl.webp) ### Priya Raju Child and Adolescent Psychologist, CAMH: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and the University of Toronto Read biography Priyadarshani (Priya) Raju is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto in Toronto, Canada. Her primary practice site is in the Child, Youth and Emerging Adult program at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, the largest mental health teaching hospital in Canada. She is a settler of South Asian descent. Dr Raju’s clinical practice for the last decade has focused on populations affected by colonialism, trauma, acculturation stress, and historical mistreatment in health care settings. She co-developed the Migration Consultation Team at the SickKids Centre for Community Mental Health, a teaching unit for newcomer families in Toronto. She has also worked with Indigenous families in multiple Indigenous-led treatment settings across Toronto. She provides clinical and program consultations to under-resourced settings across northern Ontario and Nunavut. Her academic work focuses on culture, power, and other equity issues in mental health, including anti-oppressive critiques of psychiatry with respect to both migrant and Indigenous populations. She is currently engaged in advocacy, clinical innovation and program development for marginalized families in both hospital and community settings. In her spare time, she enjoys literature, theatre, and time outdoors with her husband and two young children. - ![Portrait of John Rice](https://ymhc.ngo/_astro/john-rice.NDXpOUNW_2px37T.webp) ### John Rice Elder Knowledge Keeper, Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services - Canada Read biography John is currently with the Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services as an Elder/Knowledge Keeper. He was previously engaged with the Early Psychosis Program at CMHA, working with many first nations in the region through the Enaahtig Mental Health Outreach Program. He has been a previous faculty member in the Aboriginal Social & Community Development Program at Georgian College. John has helped co-develop and facilitate training in Simcoe County called Feather Carriers: Leadership for Life. The program is receiving international attention and was born out of the need for more than direct suicide intervention techniques in local reserve communities – what was needed was empowering people of the community to become life promoters by sharing the health and wellness techniques they pursue. John is a teacher at the Annual Suicide Prevention Conference, and he has an incredible ability to weave and harmonize Traditional Knowledge and Teachings into mainstream work. Through his life’s work, John has been a leader in community wellness for over 30 years. This leadership was honoured in 2016 as the recipient of the CAMH – Chapin A’sin Elder Vern Harper Award for Excellence in the Provision of Culturally-Based Practice. - ![Portrait of LaTreece Roby](https://ymhc.ngo/_astro/latreece-roby.Cg6eFAO7_Z1Xzfp0.webp) ### LaTreece Roby Director of Secondary Programs, Sources of Strength - United States Read biography Dr. LaTreece Roby is an accomplished leader in community health, suicide prevention, and substance use prevention. She currently serves as the Director of Secondary Programs with Sources of Strength, bringing over two decades of experience in public health, health education, and policy advocacy. As a Certified Prevention Specialist and international facilitator, LaTreece is known for her powerful ability to inspire change through evidence-based strategies and community-driven solutions. LaTreece serves on the board of Path to Hope Georgia and previously served on the board of Georgians for Responsible Marijuana Policy, where she championed responsible policy development and systemic change. LaTreece has served as Executive Director for Cobb Community Alliance to Prevent Substance Abuse, guiding prevention workgroups across Georgia. Her collaborations with institutions like Kennesaw State University have included training college students to deliver suicide and substance use prevention services across urban, suburban, and rural communities. LaTreece obtained her Doctor of Education in Teaching & Learning in Higher Education, while her dissertation research focused on leveraging community involvement in bridging gaps in school-based prevention programs. LaTreece is passionate about empowering youth, strengthening adult-youth connections, and promoting equity in access to behavioral health resources. Her work continues to leave a lasting impact on schools, campuses, and communities across the country. - ![Portrait of Louise Rogers](https://ymhc.ngo/_astro/louise-rogers.m2SFG-Tw_t2U6F.webp) ### Louise Rogers, BSC/BE (Hons), MTeach (Primary) Educator and Parent Advocate, School Can't Australia Read biography Admin and Board Secretary for School Can't Australia, providing peer support for parents and carers, supporting CYP through school attendance difficulties. - ![Portrait of Maria Rogers](https://ymhc.ngo/_astro/maria-rogers.vv8ET-yo_2wBbME.webp) ### Maria Rogers, Dr. Tier II Canada Research Chair in Child and Youth Mental Health and Well-being, Carleton University - Canada Read biography Dr. Maria Rogers is the Tier II Canada Research Chair in Child and Youth Mental Health and Well-being at Carleton University, as well as a registered child and adolescent clinical psychologist in Ontario and Quebec. Her research endeavours to understand how relationships impact the educational and emotional development of children and youth. A core area of Dr. Rogers’ research examines the relational well-being of children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and its associations with children’s learning. More recently, Dr. Rogers is investigating chronic absenteeism in children and teens, and its associations with family mental health and children’s learning and emotional development. - ![Portrait of David Smith](https://ymhc.ngo/_astro/david-smith.DALCIZaS_p95XE.webp) ### David Smith, Dr. Professor of Counselling Psychology, Faculty of Education, University of Ottawa - Canada Read biography Dr. David Smith is Professor of Counselling Psychology at the Faculty of Education, University of Ottawa. He conducts research on school-based bullying prevention programs and school climate, and on the links between mental health and bullying. He is particularly interested in the role of student-teacher relationships and their potential to mitigate bullying, as well as helping teachers to build social-emotional capacities in the service of building strong, positive relationships with students using ideas and practices that are based on the ancient wisdom of mindfulness. - ![Portrait of Lara Stauvermann](https://ymhc.ngo/_astro/lara-stauvermann.DzfOyEjU_eWTXc.webp) ### Lara Stauvermann Research Associate and PhD student,, Department of Educational and Social Sciences at the University of Oldenburg - Germany Read biography Her qualitative doctoral research focuses on multi-professional collaboration in addressing school attendance issues among young people with special educational needs. As part of her project, she is conducting a case study that incorporates the perspectives of the young people themselves, their parents, special education teachers, school social workers, and other professionals involved. Beyond her academic work, Lara Stauvermann is also engaged in voluntary work in the field of child and youth welfare. - ![Portrait of Kim Wallace](https://ymhc.ngo/_astro/kim-wallace.BgCeUGx0_Z1eI1Bu.webp) ### Kim Wallace Professional Educational Consultant, Process Makes Perfect - United States Read biography Born and raised in an educator household, Dr. Kim Wallace started her own career in public education 30 years ago as a high school English and history teacher before becoming a site principal and district office administrator. Her most recent K-12 role was as superintendent of one of the 20 largest school districts in California. Kim joined the UC Berkeley School of Education Leadership Programs division as the Associate Director of the 21st Century California School Leadership Academy (21CSLA) State Center in 2020. She also runs her own consulting company Process Makes Perfect, specializing in real world solutions for practitioners in the field. Kim consults, writes, and presents internationally on systems change and emerging trends in educational leadership. An award-winning, innovative educator, Kim leverages her abilities in educational administration, program management, and relationship development to optimize institutional effectiveness and deliver remarkable results. Dr. Wallace’s book Leading the Launch: A Ten-Stage Process for Successful School District Initiatives was published by Solution Tree Press in 2021, followed by Leading Through an Equity Lens in 2023. Her upcoming book, Gamechanging Leadership in Action: An Educator’s Companion is in production with Routledge/Taylor & Francis (Aug. 2025). Kim attended the University of California Santa Barbara for her undergraduate degree in history. She then earned her Master’s in Education (M.Ed.) at the University of California Los Angeles and culminated her educational goals with a Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) from the University of California Davis. - ![Portrait of Melchior Wammes](https://ymhc.ngo/_astro/melchior-wammes.Dj1v8ufO_12MSAf.webp) ### Melchior Wammes Student Advocate, Adviesraad Eigenwijsheid - Netherlands Read biography Melchior Wammes is a policy advisor and youth representative at Alfisrat Eichbayezide in the Netherlands. He shares his personal education journey and discusses school attendance from a student's perspective. His key message is that attendance issues often signal deeper problems which schools can help address, and we shouldn't rule out the possibility that the schools themselves contribute to school avoidance. It's crucial that students feel safe, seen and heard. Additionally, he believes students should be directly involved in shaping the policies that affect them. - ![Portrait of Jess Whitley](https://ymhc.ngo/_astro/jess-whitley.KGsGGrY0_15sGyl.webp) ### Jess Whitley Educator and Researcher, University of Ottawa - Canada Read biography Jess Whiteley's research and teaching are driven by a dedication to improving the school experiences of students with exceptionalities. She is particularly interested in documenting, identifying influences on, and developing interventions related to psychosocial and mental health functioning. She draws on a variety of methods and data sources in her research, including analyses of small student focus groups and modeling of data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth. In her teaching, she aims to best prepare future teachers of inclusive classrooms and further develop the skills and knowledge of graduate-level learners. Learn more about her research at JessWhitley.ca - ![Portrait of Joe Williams](https://ymhc.ngo/_astro/joe-williams.u7M92MtE_wlBS6.webp) ### Joe Williams First Nations Aboriginal man, Wiradjuri/Wolgalu - Australia Read biography Joe is a proud Wiradjuri/Wolgalu, First Nations Aboriginal man born in Cowra, and raised in Wagga NSW, Australia. Joe played in the National Rugby League for South Sydney Rabbitohs, Penrith Panthers, and Canterbury Bulldogs before switching Joe to professional Boxing in 2009. Joe is a 2x WBF World Jnr Welterweight champion and won a WBC Asia Continental Title. ## Sponsors and donors ### Sponsors - ![Tachane Foundation Inc.](https://ymhc.ngo/_astro/tachane-foundation-inc.BIxDu77l_Z1w2AwV.webp) ### Donors - [![Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario](https://ymhc.ngo/_astro/elementary-teachers-federation-of-ontario.BZoLGWOR_12rI0s.webp)](https://etfoniagara.ca/) - [![Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association](https://ymhc.ngo/media/conferences/2025/ontario-english-catholic-teachers-association.svg)](https://www.catholicteachers.ca/) - [![Association of University of New Brunswick Teachers](https://ymhc.ngo/_astro/association-of-university-of-new-brunswick-teachers.BIGdwXQp_ZERe5H.webp)](https://www.aunbt.ca/) - [![Iron Workers Trade Union](https://ymhc.ngo/_astro/iron-workers-trade-union.DWEJlxkI_Z2jKscz.webp)](https://iw721.org/) - [![New Brunswick Nurses Union](https://ymhc.ngo/_astro/new-brunswick-nurses-union.DpoFm0_T_Z2m9bLT.webp)](https://nbnu.ca/) ## Frequently asked questions ### Conference Basics When and where is the conference taking place? The conference will be held virtually on May 30-31, 2025. All sessions will be conducted in Eastern Time (ET), the same time zone as Toronto, Ontario. Who is organizing this conference? Youth Mental Health Canada (YMHC), a registered charitable nonprofit organization focused on youth mental health and suicide prevention through education, support, advocacy, and change. What is the focus of the conference? The conference addresses the pressing issue of chronic school absenteeism in Canada, bringing together educators, researchers, mental health professionals, community workers, Indigenous professionals and community workers, and students and families with lived experience, to share experiences, learnings, data, research, and best practices while developing actionable strategies to improve student attendance, inclusion, and engagement. ### Registration Information What are the registration options and fees? - Regular Registration: $349 per person - Group Rate: $325 per person (minimum 15 attendees) - Save $360 total when registering a team of 15! Is there an Early Bird registration discount? The Early Bird Rate ended at 11:59 PM on February 28, 2025. What's included with registration? All conference attendees will receive: - Access to all conference sessions on May 30-31, 2025 - Resources valued at $300, including: - A guidebook for schools on school-wide strategies to support students - A student workbook on upstream chronic school absenteeism prevention How do I register a group? For organizations sending multiple attendees, simply add 15 or more registrations to your order, and the group rate of $325 per person will be automatically applied. How do I access the conference once registered? Details on how to access the conference platform will be provided approximately one week in advance of the event. The conference will be held online. What is your cancellation policy? Please contact admin@YouthMentalHealth.ca for information about the conference cancellation policy. ### Conference Content Who are the speakers at the conference? The conference features national and international experts in education and mental health. For a list of speakers, please visit: [the speakers section of this page](https://ymhc.ngo/conference/2025/#speakers) What is the conference schedule? For the agenda, please visit: [the agenda on this page](https://ymhc.ngo/conference/2025/#agenda) All sessions will be conducted in Eastern Time (ET). Will recordings be available after the conference? Yes. We will provide conference attendees with access to conference recordings for one week after the event. . ### Participation and Technical Questions Do I need any special software or equipment to participate? Yes, you will need to have Zoom installed on your computer or device with internet access. The conference will be hosted via Zoom to allow for interactive sessions and networking opportunities. We recommend downloading and installing the latest version of Zoom before the conference to ensure the best experience. Specific additional technical requirements, including the Zoom meeting links, will be shared with registered participants approximately one week before the event. Will there be opportunities for interaction and discussion? Yes, the conference will include interactive components such as panel discussions, Q&A sessions, and opportunities to network with other attendees. What time zone will the conference follow? All sessions will be conducted in Eastern Time (ET). ### Related Training Opportunities Are there other YMHC training opportunities related to this conference? Yes, YMHC offers a comprehensive training course on "School-Wide Strategies to Support Students with Chronic School Absenteeism" from April 23 to May 28, 2025. Two registration options are available: 1. **Option #1: $950 - Training Course Only** - Complete training course (12 hours of professional development) - Two valuable books (guidebook for schools and student workbook) 2. **Option #2: $1250 - Training Course + Conference** - Complete training course - Two valuable books - Registration for the YMHC National Virtual Conference (May 30-31, 2025) - **Savings of $50** compared to purchasing separately For more information about this training course, visit [ymhc.ngo/pages/sptc](https://ymhc.ngo/pages/sptc). ### Contact Information Who do I contact with questions about the conference? For any questions or concerns regarding the conference, please contact: - Email: admin@YouthMentalHealth.ca - Phone: (647) 952-9642 Where can I learn more about YMHC? To learn more about Youth Mental Health Canada's mission, resources, and initiatives, visit [ymhc.ngo](https://ymhc.ngo/) or follow YMHC on social media platforms: [our social media page](https://ymhc.ngo/about/social-media/) ## Questions about the conference? [conference@ymhc.ngo](mailto:conference@ymhc.ngo) · [647-952-9642](tel:6479529642) ## Other conferences - [2027 Conference](https://site.pheedloop.com/event/YMHC2027/home) - [2026 Conference: Waves of Change in School Attendance Challenges](https://ymhc.ngo/conference/2026/)