Best Practices Network

Gender, Race, Indigeneity, and Careers in Higher Education: What Counts as Progress?
2025-02-27 16:00 - 17:00 (America/Toronto) | Online
Regarding equity, diversity, inclusion, and Indigeneity (EDII), we often hear many statements, but we rarely see concrete figures. Goals are articulated, yet specific benchmarks remain unspoken, and data collection efforts are sporadic at best. This is especially true for administrators, who occupy the upper levels of the Canadian post-secondary career hierarchy. Without clear objectives or measurable outcomes, progress is measured solely by effort—but is that truly enough?
Hosted by the Centre for the Study of Canadian & International Higher Education, Eric Lavigne, Assistant Professor in Higher Education Administration and Leadership at OISE, will delve into the strategies researchers have used to navigate the lack of data and analyzes the incomplete picture these scattered insights create.
Zoom links will be shared with registrants 1 day in advance of the session.
Register for the session webinar here

2025 Inlight Annual Research Symposium
2025-02-27 10:00 - 15:00 (America/Toronto) | The University of Toronto
The Inlight student mental health research initiative is hosting their annual research symposium on February 27th, 2025. This in-person symposium will delve into cutting-edge research in post-secondary student mental health.

George Brown College’s 25th Annual Mental Health Conference
2025-02-27 08:00 - 16:00 (America/Toronto) | 290 Adelaide Street East, 290 Adelaide Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M5A 1N1, Canada
Join George Brown College’s 25th annual Mental Health Conference on February 27th 2025. This year’s theme is Thriving Together in the Classroom: Creating the Conditions for Student Well-Being. The conference will feature a keynote by Carolyn Roberts, a member of the Squamish Nation. Carolyn is a speaker, author, and Indigenous scholar at the University of British Columbia, who leverages her voice to promote Indigenous resurgence through education.=. The conference will also include a panel discussion with student and teaching faculty sharing their experiences and insights on strategies that effectively promote student well-being.
Register for the conference here

Save the Date: Inlight Annual Research Symposium
2025-02-27
Save the date for the INLIGHT Student Mental Health Research group’s Annual Research Symposium on February 27th 2025.
Further details will be shared in the coming months To learn about the symposium, read the 2024 research symposium recap here.

Indigenous Land-Based Learning: Cultivating Wholistic Wellness by Connecting with Nature
2025-02-25 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Toronto) | Online
Join the Centre for Innovation in Campus Mental Health (CICMH) for a webinar on Indigenous Land-Based Learning. Presenter Mary Laur, Director of the Indigenous Sharing and Learning Centre at Laurentian University, to discuss a course available to students that incorporates land-based education. Mary will discuss the importance of land-based learning, how Indigenous students reconnect with their culture, and how it supports their wellness journey through traditional practices. Additionally, she will describe the course’s development, share insights into the student experience, and emphasize the significance of fostering well-being in a holistic manner.
Register for the webinar here

2025 Healthy Minds | Healthy Campuses Virtual Summit
2025-02-25 - 2025-02-27 | Online
Healthy Minds |Healthy Campuses (HM|HC) virtual Summit will take place on February 25-27, 2025. The theme of the 2025 Summit, “Achieving whole campus community engagement in mental health promotion in post-secondary settings,” underscores the importance of implementing a comprehensive, institution-wide approach to mental well-being. By embracing a shared, community-focused strategy, post-secondary institutions can actively involve all campus members in creating a more inclusive and supportive atmosphere.
The summit will take place over three days with engaging discussions, keynotes, panels and breakout sessions, including opportunities for shared learning and collaboration, fostering collective action to strengthen our campus communities.
Register for the summit here

2025 Canadian Evaluation Society Annual Learning Event
2025-02-25 | The Ottawa Conference and Event Centre, 200 Coventry Rd, Ottawa, Ontario, K1K 4S3, Canada
The Canadian Evaluation Society – National Capital Chapter, is hosting their 2025 Annual Learning Event (ALE) on Tuesday February 25th, 2025, in Ottawa. This year’s theme is Nurturing Growth for Sustainable Evaluation. This event aims to unite evaluators of all experience levels in a collective environment for learning, collaboration, and development. Drawing inspiration from the interconnected nature of a forest, where diverse elements work together to sustain a vibrant evaluation ecosystem, our goal is to foster a conference environment where our community can grow and thrive together.
Registration for CES Member is $385 + HST
Registration for CES non-member is $590 + HST
Register for the learning event here

Peer Support Train-the-Trainer Walk-Through
2025-02-24 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Toronto) | Online
Join the Centre for Innovation in Student Mental Health (CICMH) for an online train-the-trainer workshop on CMHA National’s Campus Peer Support Program. This session will explore various peer training formats, provide an overview of the resources and guides available, and share key best practices. Designed to be interactive, the workshop will include plenty of opportunities for discussion and idea exchange. More details will be shared through CICMH’s website.
Please note: This is a train-the-trainer session intended for campuses looking to implement this peer training program. It is not a training session for peers.
Register for the training here

Supporting the Wellbeing of Student Caregivers
2025-02-12 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Toronto) | Online
Join thee CACUSS Graduate Student Network and the Students with Family Responsibilities Community of Practice for a joint session on Enhancing the Well-being of Student Caregivers.
Three guest speakers who have diverse experiences and perspectives will discuss what it means to be a family caregiver. This session welcomes anyone interested in hearing firsthand perspectives from caregivers or learning more about their experiences and ways to support them.
Register for the session here

Chapter Contributors Wanted for Book on Loneliness Among College and University Students
2025-02-07 | Online
Dr. Masood Zangeneh from Humber College has shared a call for chapter contributors for an upcoming book with Springer Publishing, entitled: “Loneliness Among College and University Students.” This book seeks to investigate the complexities of loneliness among post-secondary students, exploring its impact on psychological well-being and social skills. Based on current scholarly research, it will offer a thorough examination and suggest practical solutions for educators, policymakers, and mental health professionals.
The Chapter Themes are:
The Prevalence of Loneliness in Higher Education:
Research indicates that loneliness is prevalent among college and university students. According to a study by Hysing et al. (2020), approximately one-third of students report feeling lonely, with this figure rising significantly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The abrupt shift to online learning and social distancing measures exacerbated feelings of isolation, highlighting the urgency of addressing this issue. The lingering effects of prolonged isolation continue to impact students’ social integration and overall mental health, regardless of whether they are now engaged in remote or in-person learning.
Psychological Impact of Loneliness:
Loneliness has profound psychological consequences. Studies by Cacioppo et al. (2015) and Lee et al. (2019) have demonstrated that chronic loneliness can lead to increased levels of anxiety, depression, and stress. In the context of higher education, these psychological burdens can impair academic performance and reduce students’ motivation and engagement.
Social Skills and Loneliness:
The development of social skills is a crucial aspect of the higher education experience. However, loneliness can hinder this process. Research by Heinrich and Gullone (2006) suggests that lonely individuals often struggle with social interactions, leading to a vicious cycle where loneliness begets further isolation.
The Role of Technology:
While technology offers new avenues for connection, it also contributes to the complexity of loneliness. A study by Primack et al. (2017) found that excessive use of social media is associated with higher levels of perceived loneliness. This paradoxical relationship—wherein students are more connected yet feel more isolated—will be a focal point of this chapter.
Institutional Responses and Interventions:
Universities and colleges have a pivotal role in addressing student loneliness. This chapter will review various institutional strategies, such as peer mentoring programs, mental health services, and social engagement initiatives.
If you are interested, please email Dr. Masood Zangeneh at masood.zangeneh@humber.ca by February 7th, 2025 to confirm your intent to contribute. The first draft will be due August 31, 2025. Chapter Length: 4000 words (excluding references/illustrations)

The 2025 Mental Health and Climate Change Summit
2025-02-04 12:00 - 2025-02-06 16:40 (America/Toronto) | Online
The 2025 Mental Health and Climate Change Summit is a three-day event focused on examining the relationship between climate change and mental health. This global gathering unites researchers, mental health practitioners, environmental activists, policymakers, and community members to explore how climate change impacts mental well-being and how mental health strategies can strengthen resilience to its effects.
The Summit includes keynote speeches, panel discussions, hands-on workshops, and community conversations. Topics span from eco-anxiety and climate grief to the mental health benefits of climate action and fostering community resilience. Through sharing research, art, personal experiences, and practical resources, the Summit seeks to inspire impactful change and empower attendees with the tools and knowledge to champion mental health within the climate movement.
Learn more here
Register for the summit here

Supporting Trades Students Mental Health Through Campus-Community Partnerships
2025-01-31 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Toronto) | Online
Join the Centre for Innovation in Student Mental Health (CICMH) for a webinar on supporting mental health and wellness among trades students. The webinar will showcase the collaborative efforts between Cambrian College and the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). Speakers Seija Korpela (Cambrian College), Brian Lobban (Cambrian College), and Christophe Coloumbe (CMHA Sudbury/Manitoulin) will discuss how this partnership fosters an environment where trades students can build self-assurance, prioritize their mental well-being, and access tools to recognize mental health challenges. This emphasis on personal development promotes a positive self-concept, empowers students to take pride in their profession, and enriches their educational journey while cultivating a healthier peer community. Additionally, Selena Norman from CICMH will present our newly developed toolkit for Supporting Trades Students’ Mental Health. French closed captioning will be provided.
Register for the webinar here

CSSHE 2025 Webinar Series – Reframing International Higher Education in Canada
2025-01-29 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Toronto) | Online
The Canadian Society for the Study of Higher Education (CSSHE) is hosting a 2025 webinar series to celebrate its 55th anniversary. Aligning with the Congress 2025 theme, “Reframing Togetherness,” this series will unite scholars, students, policymakers, and professionals across four sessions to reexamine and reimagine key challenges impacting higher education in Canada. This webinar will discuss “Reframing International Higher Education in Canada.”
Register for the webinar here

The Art and Science of Creating Effective Infographics
2025-01-23 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Toronto) | Online
Are you interested in learning how to make impactful infographics that translate knowledge to different audiences? Join facilitator Dr. Sid Ali with the Canadian Evaluation Society Ontario Chapter for a workshop on The Art and Science of Producing Effective Infographics. This interactive session will cover the science on why we use infographics, underlying design theory, and specific design elements that can be used to create an effective infographic.
Register for the workshop here

The Integration of Environmental Sustainability in all Evaluations
2025-01-23 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Toronto) | Online
Join the Canadian Evaluation Society for a free webinar delving into the topic of incorporating environmental sustainability into evaluation work. Presenters Andy Rowe, Debbie DeLancey, and Francois Dumaine will cover the rationale behind this approach to program evaluation, highlight existing challenges and obstacles, and showcase tools and resources available to help evaluators adopt this framework.
Ultimately, the webinar serves as a call to action, encouraging program evaluation to play a stronger role in guiding services, programs, and activities in a way that aligns with the needs of both human and natural systems.
Register for the webinar here

Living with Suicide: A Community Dialogue with author and journalist, Anna Mehler Paperny
2025-01-23 11:15 - 13:30 (America/Edmonton) | University of Calgary
Join author and journalist Anna Mehler Paperny and the University of Calgary’s Community Mental Health and Well-Being Strategy for an open, conversation about depression, suicide and ways we can foster mutual support within a community. The discussion will be followed by a panel featuring members of the UCalgary community and moderated by Mara Grunau, BEd’94, CEO of the Canadian Mental Health Association, Alberta Division, home of the Centre for Suicide Prevention.
Register here

Evaluation, Theory, and Performance Measurement: An Introduction
2025-01-23 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Toronto) | Online
The Canadian Evaluation Society Manitoba Chapter in partnership with the United Way Winnipeg is hosting a six-part workshop on evaluation tools. Each session is tailored to equip nonprofit professionals with the hands-on expertise and insights needed to develop, carry out, and assess robust evaluations. The workshops are stand-alone, allowing participants to select the sessions most applicable to their interests. Whether you are new to evaluation or seeking to refine your existing methods, this series will provide the tools to make evidence-based decisions and showcase your organization’s performance.
In the foundational session, facilitator Necole Sommersell will teach participants the concept of “evaluations,” their benefits, and how they can serve as a valuable evidence-based resource. Attendees will explore common evaluation methods, including various evaluation strategies and logic models, with opportunities to apply these concepts through examples.
Register for the workshop here

The Summit on Mental Health and Climate Change
2025-01-06 - 2025-01-07 | Online
Join the Mental Health and Climate Change Alliance for their third Summit on Mental Health and Climate Change February 6th and 7th 2025. The Summit’s goal is to increase awareness and promote community involvement about climate change and mental health, with a particular focus on exploring the ways in which mental health and well-being and climate change impact one another.
Abstract submissions are open until September 26th, 2024. Submit your abstract here
Registration opens November 7th, 2024.
Learn more about the conference here

January 2025 e-Essential Skills Series
2025-01-06 | Online
The Canadian Evaluation Society Ontario Chapter is hosting a 10 week e-Essential Skills Series. Facilitated by Tina Sahay, this 10-week online course is intended to provide learners with the foundations of professional evaluation including stakeholder engagement, describing programs, creating evaluation questions, identifying indicators, research design and methods, data management and analysis, work planning, evaluation reporting, and professionalization of evaluation. No prior experience is needed to attend this course.
The cost for the workshop is $1199 for CES members; $1299 for general admission and the first class of the 10-week course will start on January 6, 2025.
Register for the series here

Healthy Minds | Healthy Campuses Summit - Call for Proposals
2024-12-31 | Online
Healthy Minds |Healthy Campuses is accepting proposals for its next virtual Summit on February 25-27, 2025. The theme of the 2025 Summit, “Achieving whole campus community engagement in mental health promotion in post-secondary setting,” highlights the significance of fostering a campus-wide strategy for mental health promotion. By adopting a collective, community-oriented approach, the goal is to enable post-secondary institutions to involve all campus members in cultivating an inclusive and supportive environment. HM|HC invites proposal submissions for dialogic workshops and presentations.
Submit your proposal here

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) National Statement of Apology: A Journey Towards Healing and Understanding
2024-12-03 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Toronto) | Online
Join the Best Practices Network for a webinar with Tyler Twaroswski, Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) National Senior Manager, Indigenous Wellness and Reconciliation. This heartfelt apology acknowledges CMHA’s historical participation in colonial and racist systems and its impact on Indigenous Peoples. Learn about our commitment to reconciliation, cultural humility, and transforming mental health care to be equitable, culturally sensitive, and respectful of Indigenous histories, experiences and worldviews.
This webinar is part of our Conversation Series: Advancing Decolonization and Indigenization in Post-Secondary Student Mental Health and Wellbeing. This series is a national conversation on how post-secondary institutions can advance their decolonization efforts.
Register for the webinar here

Decolonizing Mental Health and Counselling Services at John Abbott College (JAC)
2024-09-19 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Toronto) | Online
Join the Best Practices Network for a webinar with Meaghan Blake, Chaiperson, Psychological and Career Counselling; Daniel Beaulieu, Psychologist, Psychological and Career Counselling; and Kim Martin, Dean of Indigenous Education, from John Abbott College (JAC). This webinar is part of our Conversation Series: Advancing Decolonization and Indigenization in Post-Secondary Student Mental Health and Wellbeing. This series is a national conversation on how post-secondary institutions can advance their decolonization efforts.
Register for the webinar here

9th Digital Mental Health International Congress
2024-09-19 - 2024-09-20 | Shaw Center, 55 Colonel By, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Join the eMental Health International Collaborative (EMHIC) and the Mental Health Commission of Canada for their International Congress for digital mental health. The Congress highlights the successful use of digital technologies, which can provide valuable support to clients beyond traditional therapy sessions, amplify the effectiveness of in-person care, and offer a practical solution to the global mental health crisis.
Participants will have the opportunity to interact with influential leaders with lived experience, clinicians, and innovators who are at the forefront of advancements in the digital mental health field in Canada, as well as distinguished professionals from around the world. These include international mental health administrators, clinicians, researchers, health-care IT specialists, and prominent global nongovernmental organizations such as UNICEF and the World Health Organization.
Attendees will have opportunities to connect and collaborate with speakers and colleagues representing over 20 countries.
In person registration: $1,195 Virtual registration: $349
Register for the congress here

The Usefulness of Theory of Change for Evaluation: From Theory to Practice/Utilité de la théorie de changement pour l’évaulation: de la théorie á la pratique
2024-09-18 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Toronto) | Online
The Société Québécoise d’évaluation de programme (SQEP) is hosting a workshop in French on the theory of change for evaluation. Presented by Ludovic Décoret and Judith Gaudet, attendees will learn the following:

What a theory of change is, its various applications, and differentiate it from other related and complementary tools (e.g., logical framework)
Demonstrate the value of a theory of change at various phases of the evaluation process
Highlight different challenges in the development and application of a theory of change

Register for the webinar here

Mental Health CoP Coffee Chat
2024-09-16 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Toronto) | Online
CACUSS’ mental health CoP Coffee Chat is an open forum for members to engage with CACUSS, your co-chairs, and one another. Please feel free to bring any questions or topics you’d like to discuss. These gatherings are informal yet always a valuable use of time.
Register for the CoP chat here

Bison Walks an Infinity Pathway: Using a Métis Worldview and Inspiration from Bison to Inform Mental Health Practices in Canada
2024-08-14 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Toronto) | Online
Join the Best Practices Network for a webinar with Tyler Twaroswski, Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) National Senior Manager, Indigenous Wellness and Reconciliation. Discover how integrating Métis cultural perspectives into contemporary healthcare systems can transform mental health care. By employing metaphors like the bison and the Métis infinity symbol, this research highlights the use of strengths-based, culturally attuned methodologies and participatory methods like Talking Circles. Join us to explore innovative approaches that honor both Indigenous and Western knowledge systems, aiming to meet the unique mental health needs of Métis communitiesThis webinar is part of our Conversation Series: Advancing Decolonization and Indigenization in Post-Secondary Student Mental Health and Wellbeing. This series is a national conversation on how post-secondary institutions can advance their decolonization efforts.
Register for the webinar here

The International Health Promoting Campuses Conference
2024-08-06 | Online
Save the date for the 2025 International Health Promoting Campuses Conference (IHPCC) taking place in Ireland from June 16-19th, 2025. The 2025 conference marks 10 years since the creation of the Okanagan Charter. The theme of conference is to reflect on the advancements in campus health promotion since the signing of the Charter and discuss what comes next, such as opportunities for collaboration and evaluation.
The IHPCC invites those interested in registering for the conference to complete the Expression of Interest Form online by August 6th, 2024. The IHPCC expects high registration for the 2025 conference and to ensure diverse international representation, priority will be given to those who complete the Expression of Interest Form.
Learn more about the conference here

ACTing for the Planet: Psychological Tools for Fostering Climate Conscious Campuses
2024-07-26 15:00 - 16:00 (America/Toronto) | Online
Join Healthy Minds |Healthy Campuses on Friday July 26th at 3:00pm EST/12:00pm PST for their upcoming HM|HC Talk entitled: “ACTing for the Planet: Psychological Tools for Fostering Climate Conscious Campuses”.

Presenter Dr. Robert Selles, from Anxiety Canada’s scientific advisory committee, will discuss “eco-anxiety” or “climate distress.” Utilizing planetary health, acceptance, and commitment therapy frameworks, attendees will learn how to foster campus environments that help students cope with climate distress and drive positive change.

Register for the talk here

Using CCWS Data to Inform Institutional Practices: Perspectives from Three Participating Institutions & Technical Overview
2024-07-16 13:00 - 14:30 (America/Toronto) | Online
Join the Best Practices Network and the Canadian Campus Wellbeing Survey (CCWS) for a presentation on how post-secondary institutions are using the CCWS data and Tableau dashboards to support health and wellbeing. The CCWS is a unique survey in the Canadian post-secondary landscape that is specifically designed to help Canadian post-secondary institutions better support whole campus health and wellbeing and is available in both English and French.
Following a brief overview of the CCWS, the presentation will feature three institutional case studies who have implemented the CCWS and how the data has informed their institutional practices. Lina Di Genova from McGill University, Meaghan Blake from John Abbott College and Sandra Gibson from the University of Waterloo will share their experiences deploying the CCWS and offer insights into how the data has informed institutional programs and initiatives.
The second part of the webinar will be led by Dhruvi Nishar, a CCWS Analyst who will provide an in-depth technical overview of the CCWS Tableau dashboard reporting tool. Institutions that participate in the CCWS receive dashboards that include their survey results and survey results from other institutions, which provide comparison data. Attendees will learn how to access and navigate these interactive reports, including key functions such as how to use filters to look at specific groups of students. This portion of the webinar will be most useful for institutions who have already participated, but all are welcome to attend.
Register Here

ᐊᐧᐦᑯᐦᑐᐃᐧᐣ Wahkohtowin: Honoring Indigenous Approaches for Student Mental Health and Wellness Services
2024-06-19 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Toronto) | Online
Join the Best Practices Network for a webinar with Jocelyn Orb, Director, and seapieces marsland, Indigenous Counsellor, from the Student Wellness Centre at the University of Saskatchewan. They will share knowledge share the ᐊᐧᐦᑯᐦᑐᐃᐧᐣ Wahkohtowin Strategy. The in-house decolonization strategy for the Student Wellness Centre was created out of a response to the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and is driven by the cultural humility approach to equitably promote and foster cultural humility amongst staff and Indigenous well-being in post-secondary health.

This webinar is part of our Conversation Series: Advancing Decolonization and Indigenization in Post-Secondary Student Mental Health and Wellbeing. This series is a national conversation on how post-secondary institutions can advance their decolonization efforts.
Register for the webinar here
