Education & Workshops
Educational workshops on topics and issues of interest to victims and survivors, justice professionals, and other community services.
We provide educational workshops and events on topics and issues of interest to victims and survivors in collaboration with partners who have extensive experience and knowledge in their respected fields. Topics may include coping with trauma, victim impact statements, dealing with the media, grief & loss, resilience, and others.
Waitlist:
Mental Health First Aid
A 9-hour course for those impacted by the homicide of a loved one
Tuesdays
February 20 & 27
6-9pm
Candace House
183 Kennedy Street
FULL - Join our waitlist for upcoming courses!
Interested in joining in the future?
Course developed by Opening Minds, Mental Health Commission of Canada
More information: https://openingminds.org/training/mhfa/standard/
What is Mental Health First Aid?
While we often know a lot about physical illness, there tends to be less knowledge about mental health or substance use issues. This lack of understanding leads to fear and negative attitudes, and prevents us from seeking help and providing appropriate support to people around us.
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is offered to someone with an emerging mental health or substance use problem or in crisis, until appropriate treatment is found or the situation resolves.
This course is only being offered to those who have been impacted by the homicide of a loved one - if this does not apply, we invite you to explore openingminds.org/courses for more courses that may fit your needs.
MHFA Standard has been proven to give participants:
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tools to recognize signs of decline in mental well-being
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the ability to talk about their mental health
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knowledge to discuss professional and other supports that could help with recovery or improved mental well-being
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confidence to reach out to these supports
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tools to assist during a mental health or substance use crisis
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knowledge to use MHFA actions to maintain one’s own mental wellness.
Course Outline:
This 9-hour course is offered in virtual & in-person methods, starting with an online module (Module 1) that focuses on information and strategies that we will discuss and practice in-person (Modules 2 and 3).
Participants are required to complete Module 1 online before participating in Modules 2 and 3.
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Module 1 (3 hrs): Online module that introduces participants to the concepts of the course and Mental Health First Aid actions.
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Module 2 (3 hrs): Live class that discusses tools on how to apply MHFA actions to situations of declining mental well-being and guidelines for MHFA conversations with diverse populations.
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Module 3 (3 hrs): Live class that gives participants the opportunity to practice applying MHFA actions to crisis situations and discusses the importance of self-care.
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Course includes crisis first aid and interventions for:
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suicidal behaviour
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panic attacks
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overdose
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acute stress reaction and,
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psychotic episodes
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Interested in joining in the future?
Waitlist:
Homicide Grief 8-Week Support Groups
Candace House staff are enrolled in the Traumatic Loss Facilitator Training through the British Columbia Bereavement Helpline in order to facilitate 8- week support groups for individuals grieving the loss of a loved one by homicide.
Homicide grief support groups provide:
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A safe, non-judgmental, compassionate environment with time for
restorative sharing of stories and insights -
8 weekly meetings in which you can meet others who share some
of the same experiences -
Essential grief and mourning survival tools to help survivors in their daily lives
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Practical support and information as well as valuable community connections
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An opportunity to reconnect with the living memory of your person
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A respectful space for honouring the life of the person who has died
Interested in joining in the future?
It took me a long time until I was able to reach out for help, even though the anger, panic and depression consumed me every day.
My counsellor thought it might also be good for me to learn and talk about my experience in a group setting. She suggested a trauma recovery course and it was one of the best decisions I made for my own healing and my relationship with my partner.
I know nothing will take away this pain, but the skills I now have to cope have made a big difference.
-Victim