CORPORATE CULTURE OF CAREHow can we foster corporate cultures of well-being in our rapidly evolving world of increasing social pressure and declining mental health? Dr. Suzanne Simpson relays her research findings from an inpatient psychiatric unit. She shares what her students taught her about how to treat each other better to meet fundamental human desires. She draws upon her study data, continuing interactions with youth, contemporary works of various mental health practitioners, and Indigenous ways of knowing. Her half- and full-day presentations are relevant for all student ages.
From Youth Dialogues to Workplace Wellness: Cultivating Connection
Could we unlock wellness with a compassionate corporate culture? This presentation delves into the findings of an unprecedented doctoral study, showing how we can build stronger relationships, communication skills, and create a more supportive and empathetic workplace. Through a combination of research insights and storytelling, Suzanne explores the transformative potential of meaningful interactions that foster communication, engagement, and inclusion. Discover practical ways to implement these insights and cultivate a positive and productive work culture. Trauma Informed Practice: A Corporate Way of Being
This workshop addresses the impact of trauma on individuals and organizations. Offering current literature and perspectives of those who endured significant childhood trauma, Suzanne explores how to recognize signs of trauma, respond empathetically, and create universal “trauma-informed” spaces simply by fostering a culture of care and compassion. Understanding Mental Health Challenges
This presentation explores mental health challenges faced in today’s corporate world. Suzanne provides contemporary research and neuroscience about trauma, anxiety, depression, substance use disorders, and suicidal ideation. As well, she explains perceptions and behaviours through lenses of lived experiences, and offers evidence-based practices to facilitate collegial support for each mental health disorder. |
EDUcator PresentationSHow can educators support their students’ well-being in our rapidly evolving world
of increasing social pressure and declining mental health? Dr. Suzanne Simpson relays her research findings from an inpatient psychiatric unit for adolescents who battle severe mental health and substance use disorders. Suzanne offers insight into the mystery of the child and adolescent mind. She draws upon her study data, continuing interactions with youth, contemporary works of various mental health practitioners, and Indigenous ways of knowing. Her half- and full-day presentations are relevant for all student ages. What I Learned from Teen Psychiatric Patients
What did patients at an adolescent concurrent disorders unit say they needed from educators as their mental health deteriorated and substance use increased? Findings from this doctoral study use relevant research, youth dialogues, and narratives to explore how we can better foster student wellness. These lessons offer tangible ways to give more support, understanding and care to all young people. In turn, they give insight into how teachers can find their own well-being in busy classroom spaces. Securely Attached Discipline
To what extent do we maintain “discipline” and how can we do so appropriately and meaningfully? This workshop examines the connection between supporting youths’ intrinsic longing for relational attachment and maintaining classroom boundaries. We will explore how empathy and compassion are foundational to safeguarding classroom expectations, and discuss tangible ways to implement securely attached discipline. Trauma Informed Practice: Our Classroom Way of Being
What is relevant information to be “trauma-informed?” How can we organically support all students? This workshop enlightens about the experience and effects of trauma from youths’ perspective at an inpatient psychiatric unit. As well, it offers how we teach “trauma-informed” without a list of activities, frameworks, or programs. We explore how, as caring beings, we meet the needs of all students with the empowerment to create safe and healing spaces for everyone. What I Learned from Teen Psychiatric Patients (counsellor- and alternate education-specific)
What did patients at an adolescent concurrent disorders unit say they needed from all school staff as their mental health deteriorated and substance use increased? As adolescent mental health challenges and substance use rise, understanding student-perspective is crucial. Findings from this doctoral study use relevant research, youth dialogues, and narratives to explore how we can better foster student wellness. This presentation will share findings that are particularly applicable to alternate educators and school counselors, providing insights into the specific support our students require within a connected care framework. |
Parent PresentationSHow can parents support their child’s well-being in a rapidly evolving world of increasing social pressure and declining mental health? Dr. Suzanne Simpson relays her research findings at an inpatient psychiatric unit for teenagers who battle severe mental health and substance use disorders. Suzanne transfers her classroom discoveries to parental practices, offering insight into the mystery of the child and adolescent mind. She draws upon her continuing work with youth, data and contemporary research, and published works of various mental health practitioners. Her two-hour presentations are relevant for parents of children of all ages. The following can be presented as a four-part series or independently.
Understanding Our Childrens’ Mental Health Challenges
Suzanne explores mental health challenges faced by youth today. This presentation provides the latest understanding of trauma, anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders (TADS). Suzanne gives her students’ lens of lived experience, explaining what young people who struggle with mental health say they feel, perceive, and need. She shares insight from extensive discussions with those from a wide array of cultural, geographic, economic, and familial backgrounds. Suzanne relays adolescent neuroscience, aligning with classroom observations, to explain the perceptions and behaviours of youth. What I Learned from Teen Psychiatric Patients:
Eight Ways to Support Wellness This session explores eight tangible ways we can foster wellness. Through data, anecdotes, and narratives, Suzanne presents her primary research findings and the eight youth “heart-desires” that emerged from student dialogues. These eight deep-seated desires give insight into how we can create safe and nurturing spaces that build our students’ self-worth. This session relays the wisdom of young people through stories, illustrations, and perceived experiences. Suzanne provides recent research about relationships, attachment, and behaviour. Concepts of neuroscience and neuroplasticity are also examined. What I Learned from Teen Psychiatric Patients:
Four Parental Ways of Being to Support Wellness In this presentation, Suzanne suggests a paradigm shift to our classroom spaces. Suzanne gives four ways that we are to “be” in our relationships with our children in the context of how we can offer better support, understanding, and care. This session relies extensively on youths’ lived experiences and perspectives that, according to them, adults have not recognized. Suzanne also discusses insight from the field of psychology and other mental health professionals. SECURELY ATTACHED DISCIPLINE
To what extent do we maintain “discipline” and how can we do so appropriately and meaningfully? This workshop examines the connection between supporting youths’ intrinsic longing for relational attachment and maintaining classroom boundaries. We will explore how empathy and compassion are foundational to safeguarding classroom expectations, and discuss tangible ways to implement securely attached discipline. |