Enhance Emergency Sexual Assault Services FREE - Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services

This program is designed for professionals working in the criminal justice system with people who have been recently sexually assaulted (e.g. healthcare, counselling, and law enforcement professionals).

The intent of this program is to increase comfort and knowledge with supporting people who have been recently sexual assaulted, providing comprehensive trauma informed services in any setting, standardizing terminology and interventions implications of injuries, and collecting or preserving evidence. This program is a total of 4.5 hours in length but it is online and can be completed on your own time. This program is currently offered at no cost and consists of eight modules, each approximately 1/2 hour in length with a short quiz to follow. You can complete the quizzes as many times as you like. There is also a pdf manual you can print – it is approximately 70 pages and follows along with all the modules.

The modules include the following:

• Sexual assault issues and risks, trauma informed services and EESAS overview

• Psychological considerations and consequences

• Triage and drug facilitated sexual assault considerations

• Consent, sexual assault history and interview techniques

• Injury assessment and BALD STEP guide to physical findings

• Body examination and evidence collection

• Genital examination and evidence collection

• Treatment, discharge considerations and follow up

Ideally you will complete all eight modules to help understand the role of various professionals and the entire spectrum of services the person who has been sexually assaulted experiences. The goal is to facilitate comprehensive understanding of all the phases of sexual assault care between professionals, which is not achieved if selectively taking modules. Once you have completed all desired modules, you will be asked to complete the information in a short survey link. A certificate will be mailed to you when this information is received.

To register: AASAS - EESAS

The Healing Brain: Supporting Children from Trauma to Resilience – Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters

Learn about early childhood brain development, the impacts of trauma, and how to support children who have been exposed to domestic violence.

The Healing Brain: Supporting Children from Trauma to Resilience is a module-based, online course that participants can work through at their own pace. The training will give participants a better understanding of early childhood brain development, the impacts of trauma on children, and how to nurture resilience in children who have been exposed to domestic violence. Each module is directly linked to one of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, to inform the ways service providers work with children through a lens of reconciliation.

Why take this training?

The brain is a complex organ which actually doesn’t finish developing until a person is in their twenties. It shouldn’t be a surprise then, that the first five years of a child’s life can have a big impact on outcomes later in life. This means that supporting healthy early childhood brain development in a playroom environment is a very important role. In this course, you will learn how children’s brains develop, how adverse experiences and toxic stress can derail healthy brain development, and how you can nurture children’s development.

Across Alberta last year, 2,389 children were admitted to ACWS member shelters. For children, exposure to domestic violence can be as harmful as directly experiencing acts of violence. Working with children who have been exposed to domestic violence is one of the major prevention tactics that can be used to interrupt the cycle of violence from continuing into future generations.

To register: ACWS – THBSCTR

Skills for Safer Living – CMHA-Alberta and the Center for Suicide Prevention

Skills for Safer Living (SfSL) is a four-week group program for youth ages 12-24 who have suicide ideation and their caregivers. 

Skills for Safer Living (SfSL) is a four-week psycho-educational group for youth aged 12-24 who have past or current experiences of suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts. A concurrent group is available for the youth’s caregiver(s) to equip them with the knowledge and skills to support youth in navigating their suicidal thoughts.

SfSL aims to help participants build basic language, skills, and concepts to better understand thoughts about suicide while learning strategies to mitigate them and stay as safe as possible.

The program intends to provide safe and supportive spaces for youth and their caregivers to learn from each others’ similar experiences of a situation that can be isolating and scary, but not hopeless. This project is being funded by the Government of Alberta and FCSS Calgary.

Note: Skills for Safer Living sessions are currently paused and will resume in January 2025.

If you are interested in joining a group, fill in the Expression of Interest form.

Audience

Youth:

• Anyone aged 12-24 with current or past experiences of suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts

• Interested in understanding thoughts and feelings that lead to thinking about suicide and how to make safer choices

Caregivers: Anyone aged 18+ who supports youth with experiences of suicide

Groups run in 4-week cycles.

• Participants meet weekly for a 90-minute session.

• Participants are split into two groups: one group for youth and one group for their caregiver(s).

• Youth and their caregiver(s) do not both need to participate in the program, but it is highly recommended.

• Depending on registrants, youth groups will be grouped based on age and experience of suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts.

Training Page: CSP Workshop

Understanding and Responding to Hate, Racism, and Discrimination on the Frontlines – Coalitions Creating Equity

The Understanding and Responding to Hate, Racism, and Discrimination on the Frontlines online course, developed by the Edmonton Education team at Coalitions Creating Equity (CCE) provides crucial training for frontline workers dealing with hate, racism, and discrimination.

Coalitions Creating Equity (CCE) Alberta is a province-wide community of practice that supports the advancement of all equity issues and greater awareness of the human rights of Albertans. In collaboration with Shiloh Centre For Multicultural Roots, a self-paced learning program for individuals, organizations, and others who are interested in gaining more insight into ways to combat hate, racism, and discrimination was created, complete with video modules and a curriculum guide. This course serves as a vital tool for anyone aiming to comprehend and tackle these issues effectively, offering the necessary insights and skills for significant community engagement and leadership roles. Structured into four comprehensive modules, along with additional resources, this course is designed for easy navigation.

For more information: REACH Edmonton Training – CCE Research and Modules

To register: CCE – URHRDF

Navigating Advocacy– Athabasca University PowerED

In this course, you will embark on a journey of self-reflection to explore the concept of allyship in the context of Indigenous healthcare.

You will learn ethical, effective, and respectful approaches to allyship, recognizing its inherent difficulties and the need for humility and vulnerability. Through introspection, you'll confront personal biases and prepare to engage in Indigenous allyship with integrity. Delving into historical traumas and systemic injustices, you'll understand the importance of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action in healthcare. As you progress, you'll develop strategies to prevent and intervene in situations of potential harm, equipping yourself to be an effective ally in promoting Indigenous health and well-being.

To register: PowerED - NA

Anti-Indigenous Racism and Discrimination – Athabasca University PowerED

In this course, you will delve into the multifaceted landscape of Indigenous Peoples in Canada, gaining insights into their cultures, histories, and contemporary struggles.

Through an exploration of colonization's enduring impact, you will confront the imperative of decolonization and the collective responsibility it entails. Delving into the nuances of anti-Indigenous racism, you'll acquire a vocabulary to dissect discriminatory structures and behaviors. Moving beyond theory, you'll analyze cognitive frameworks and biases, unraveling implicit and explicit prejudices while confronting the concept of privilege. By comparing Indigenous and Western worldviews, you'll grasp the root disparities perpetuating structural racism, particularly evident in Canada's assimilationist policies. Focusing on healthcare, you'll scrutinize the nexus of racism and health outcomes, equipping yourself with tools for fostering Indigenous allyship within healthcare provision, thereby embarking on a journey towards transformative change.

To register: PowerED – AIRD

Red Road Healing Society

Red Road Healing Society Offers a number of courses and sessions for Indigenous community members, please contact them for more information. See some of the available offerings below: 

• Addiction Services

• Adolescent Programs

• Akicita Youth Program

• Annual Events

• Baby Bonding 

• Baby, Think It Over

• Career Development

• Children’s Programs

• Collective Kitchens

• Counseling 

• Crafts

• Culture Night

• Educational Services

• Family Programs

• Family Violence

• Workshops

• Grandparents Circle

• Grieving Workshops

• Healing Circles

• Health Services

• Home Support

• Housing Program

• Legal Services

• Literacy

• Longhouse Family Night

• Outreach 

• Parenting

• Prenatal Workshops

• Prevention Programs

• Referral

• Rhyming

• Seasonal Events 

• School Outreach

• Social Services

• Soup and Bannock

• Speakers

• Storytelling

• Substance Prevention

• Summer Kids Camp

• Summer Workshops

• Survivor Workshops

• Tipi-Making

• Tobacco Prevention

• 12 Step Work

To register: Red Road Healing Society - Contact

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) – CMHA Edmonton

Attending this two-day course will train you to intervene with an individual who is suicidal.

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) is an intensive, interactive, and practice-dominated course designed to help caregivers recognize and review risk and intervene to prevent the immediate risk of suicide. It is by far the most widely used, acclaimed and researched suicide intervention training workshop in the world. 

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize that caregivers and persons at risk are affected by personal and societal

  attitudes about suicide

• Discuss suicide with a person at risk in a direct manner

• Identify risk alerts and develop a safe plan related to them

• Demonstrate the skills required to intervene with a person at risk of suicide

• List the types of resources available to a person at risk of suicide, including themselves

• Make a commitment to improving community resources and networking

Recognize that suicide prevention is broader than suicide intervention and, includes life promotion and self-care for persons at risk and for caregivers

Audience: Ages 18+. Participants can include but are not limited to: parents and caregivers; natural helpers and advisors; educators and ministers; health practitioners; justice, law enforcers, emergency workers, and community volunteers.

For more information: CMHA-Edmonton ASIST

To register: ASIST Upcoming Sessions

This training is available at no-cost for participants thanks to funding from the City of Edmonton.

UPCOMING TRAINING DATES:

Suicide Prevention, Risk Assessment & Management (SPRAM) – Alberta Health Services

Learn how to assess and manage individuals at risk of suicide, from a healthcare provider perspective.

Suicide Prevention, Risk Assessment & Management (SPRAM) is an e-learning series that responds to the foundational learning needs of health care providers, particularly those working in Addiction and Mental Health (AMH). The content supports developing foundational competence in suicide prevention, risk assessment, and managing individuals at-risk for suicide. The learner can use this content in a manner that is relevant to their practice domain, and it is intended to complement rather than replace any existing suicide prevention training. SPRAM does not provide formal certification.

SPRAM consists of nine (9) e-Learning modules. The content has been developed using evidence-informed best practices and is organized sequentially to create a seamless, flowing learning experience; the modules must be taken in order.

SPRAM is considered an Accredited Self-Assessment Program (Section 3) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and approved by the University of Calgary Office of Continuing Medical Education (CME) and Professional Development. It is duly accredited by the Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation.

To register: AHS - SPRAM

Our Children Are Sacred - Ben Calf Robe

A youth focused suicide prevention course and resource for adults interacting with individuals at risk for suicide.

This 2-day interactive course is designed to increase awareness around preventative and protective factors that put people at risk for suicide and provide participants with the skills to respond to a person considering suicide.

For more information: Ben Calf Robe – Our Children Are Sacred

To register: Our Children Are Sacred

This training is available at no-cost for participants thanks to funding from the City of Edmonton.

UPCOMING TRAINING DATES:

LivingWorks Start – LivingWorks

An introductory course that will provide anyone over the age of 13 with basic skills on how to recognize and support someone who is thinking about suicide.

In just one hour online, LivingWorks Start teaches trainees to recognize when someone is thinking about suicide and connect them to help and support.

LivingWorks Start teaches valuable skills to everyone 13 and older and requires no formal training or prior experience in suicide prevention.

When you sign up for LivingWorks Start training, you’ll learn a powerful four-step model to keep someone safe from suicide, and you’ll have a chance to practice it with impactful simulations. Safety resources and support are available throughout the program.

For more information: LivingWorks

To register: LivingWorks Start

This training is available at no-cost for participants thanks to funding from the City of Edmonton.

Edmonton Recovery College - CMHA-Edmonton

Courses developed and offered by individuals with lived experience around varying life topics.

The CMHA-Edmonton Recovery College offers a number of courses that are designed to support well-being and connection. All of the courses are created by an individual who has lived experience on the topic they want to educate about, in conjunction with a mental health professional to ensure that the courses are as beneficial as possible for participants. There are many available courses that rotate through over the course of a year. Some of these include Shades of Self-Disclosure; Be Kind, Embrace your Mind (Bite Size: Online); Hope Building 101 (In Person: Prosper Place); Journaling 101 (Bite Size: Online); Building Better Boundaries (Bite Size: Online); How to Feel Better About Yourself (Online: Full Size); etc.

To register: Recovery College Edmonton

Radical Mental Health Peer Support – CMHA-Edmonton Peer College

Learn the basics of being a peer support worker.

Radical Mental Health Peer Support course is a 15-hour course consisting of 6 modules that explore the fundamentals of peer support training and is offered multiple times each year.

For more information or to register for a course or elective please contact Christine Ellery at cellery@cmha-edmonton.ab.ca

School of Peer Support – CMHA-Edmonton Peer College

Build a fully developed skill-set around being a peer worker through both in-class instruction and a practicum component.

The School of Peer Support is a nine-month course that delves into the fundamentals of peer support including such areas as supportive listening, boundaries, system navigation, etc. This course is delivered once each week over 93 hours of in-class training (from mid-October to late June) followed by a 50-hour practicum.

For more information or to register for a course or elective please contact Christine Ellery at cellery@cmha-edmonton.ab.ca

LEAP (Listen-Empathize-Agree-Partner) – CMHA-Edmonton

Learn how to provide support and interact with someone you care about when they are experiencing psychosis.

Do you have a family member experiencing schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or other psychotic illness who is unwilling to accept treatment? If so, then LEAP can help.

LEAP® (Listen-Empathize-Agree-Partner) courses are for family members or caregivers of someone who is experiencing psychosis (hallucinations and/or delusions) and isn’t aware of having a mental illness. This is an evidence based course that aims to improve or repair your relationship and help you get your loved one to recognize the signs of their condition and accept treatment. LEAP was developed by Dr. Xavier Amador, a renowned clinical psychologist with first-hand experience caring for family members with serious mental illness.

The LEAP-certified trainer, a family member like you, was taught by Dr. Amador and has helped hundreds of other Albertans over the past five years. The interactive course includes opportunities to practice new ways to communicate with – and relate to – someone with a psychotic illness. 

Please note that each in-person course will be hosted at Prosper Place, 10455 172 Street NW, Edmonton AB T5S 1K9. If you have questions about LEAP or are wondering if this course is for you, please email ndorcas@cmha-edmonton.ab.ca.

To register: CMHA-Edmonton – LEAP

Mental Health First Aid Virtual – CMHA-Edmonton

Learn to support someone who is struggling with their mental health.

The Mental Health First Aid training was developed to help people provide initial support to someone who may be developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis.

MHFA teaches mental health first aid skills. The course does not train people to be therapists, counselors, or mental health professionals. The philosophy behind MHFA is that mental health crisis, such as suicidal and self-harming actions, may be avoided through early intervention. If a crisis does arise, then members of the public can take action that may reduce the harm that could result.

This 9-hour course opens with a self-directed module (Module 1 – Self Directed) that focuses on the information and strategies that participants will discuss and practice throughout the virtual classroom modules (Modules 2 and 3 – Virtual Classroom). Course participants are required to complete Module 1 before participating in Module 2 and 3.

Participants will receive the “MHFA Participant Reference Guide” that outlines MHFA actions for developing mental health and substance use problems, and mental health and substance use crises.

For more information: CMHA-Edmonton MHFA Standard

To register: MHFA

This training is available at no-cost for participants thanks to funding from the City of Edmonton.

UPCOMING TRAINING DATES:

Lunch & Learn Series - Mental Health Foundation

An ongoing series on various mental health and addiction topics that provides education and a place for connection.

Our Lunch & Learn Series is dedicated to fostering an open dialogue on mental health and addictions topics. These free online sessions provide the community with valuable knowledge, resources, and support in a warm, welcoming environment. The Lunch & Learn Series provides evidence-based resources that can help people stay up-to-date on best practices, connect with other like minded individuals, and engage in stimulating discussions.

To register: MHF Lunch & Learn

Indigenous Wellness Parenting Program – Ben Calf Robe

A strength-based program that supports parents to build valuable skills and healthy relationships with their children while honouring traditional Indigenous Ways of Knowing.

Parents will enhance their parenting skills in a positive, effective, and enjoyable way while honouring our Indigenous Ways of Knowing. Parents will learn strategies on how to best connect with their child(ren) and have a rewarding parent/child relationship. 

Our program is designed to support trauma informed persons served. We believe in using a strengths-based approach – persons served are led by their own strengths in which determine their outcome. Together we can decolonize our mind, body, and soul through a holistic traditional way.

Some Parenting Topics Include:

• Structure & Routine

• Residential School System

• Impacts of Intergenerational trauma

• Developmental stages of life

• Emotional Regulation

• Medicine Wheel Teachings

• Identity/purpose/culture

• Stress Management

• Communication

• Family Violence

• Grief and Loss

• Self-Esteem/Self-care

• Anger Management

• Conflict Resolution

• Attachment & Bonding

• Relationships & Boundaries

• Parenting Styles

• Behaviour Management

• Traditional Sharing Circles

To register: Ben Calf Robe – Indigenous Wellness Parenting Program

Indigenous Canada – University of Alberta

Learn the complexities of Indigenous history in Canada and the struggles they face in preserving their well-being in modern society.

Indigenous Canada is a 12-lesson Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) from the Faculty of Native Studies that explores the different histories and contemporary perspectives of Indigenous peoples living in Canada.

From an Indigenous perspective, this course explores complex experiences Indigenous peoples face today from a historical and critical perspective highlighting national and local Indigenous-settler relations.

Indigenous Canada is for students from faculties outside the Faculty of Native Studies with an interest in acquiring a basic familiarity with Indigenous/non-Indigenous relationships.

To register: Coursera – UofA Indigenous Canada

Building Psychological Safety in the Workplace – Imagine Institute for Learning

Creating Safe and Growth-Oriented Workplaces: Learn what makes a workplace psychologically safe and what you can do to create a workplace that empowers people to show up at their best.

Writer Annie Dillard said, “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” Many of us spend a large portion of our day at work. In fact, the average person will spend 90,000 hours at work over a lifetime. It is safe to say that your job greatly impacts your quality of life. In this two-day session, we talk about the role of the internal narrative that accompanies the workloads, relationships and challenges faced within the work environment. The session includes interactive activities, research on psychological safety and a toolkit full of activities and assessments that you can use to move from existing to thriving at work.

Learning Objectives:

• Create a safe environment to learn from the wisdom in the room and use trauma-informed practices to engage in uncomfortable conversations in a safe way.

• Explore the foundations and application of psychological safety as it relates to inclusion, learning, contribution, and challenging environments.

• Employ practical workplace strategies and interventions to prioritize self-advocacy and agile conversations.

• Discuss real-time challenges and opportunities to support a healthy and sustainable work environment.

This training is now available at no cost to Edmonton and area participants by using the discount code Living25.

For more information: Imagine Training Framework PDF

To register: Imagine Institute for Learning Upcoming Sessions

This training is available at no-cost for participants thanks to funding from the City of Edmonton.

UPCOMING TRAINING DATES: