The Schizophrenia Society of Ontario (SSO) is hosting a free community forum in Oakville next Thursday (March 31).
Titled, Strategies That Work: Building Balance, the forum is open to the public and will feature a variety of mental health experts and a panel discussion.
“We are excited to present this community forum to the community in Oakville,” Mary Alberti, CEO of SSO, said in a media release.
“Our goal at SSO is to reach as many people as we can in Ontario. We are proud to give people in the Oakville area the opportunity to learn new strategies for wellness in all areas of life.”ocus is complementary therapies
The focus of the event is complementary therapies that, in addition to medications, can support recovery for mental illness.
Those who attend will hear from peers and experts, ask questions and learn about new and effective strategies for wellness.
Keynote speakers include: Dr. Jane Gilbert, lead psychiatrist at the Bear Clinic and Dr. Noah Lazar, therapist and psychologist at CBT Associates.
The panel discussion will feature: Elizabeth Gullaher, a registered dietician; Marie Asucsion, member of SSO’s speakers bureau; and Sara McAuley, a family support worker at SSO.
“Nutrition’s role in mental health is an area of research that is constantly evolving,” said Gullaher. “What is clear is that there is a strong link between how we eat, the specific nutrients we consume, and our brain function. Nutrition’s role in specific mental-health disorders is a developing area of research that is showing some promising results.”
The forum will be held at the Queen Elizabeth Community and Cultural Centre, 2302 Bridge Rd., from 6:30-9 p.m.
The SSO is a province-wide charitable organization founded in 1979 to build awareness about serious mental illnesses, including schizophrenia and psychosis, and to support families and individuals living those illnesses.
The organization provides support services, education, awareness, advocacy, youth programming and a research program all geared towards breaking down stigma and improving the quality of life for individuals who are living with schizophrenia and psychosis and their families and caregivers.