This is a joint news release with the Council of Yukon First Nations.
The second phase of the 2022 Mental Wellness Summit will take place from September 21 to September 23 at the Sternwheeler Hotel & Conference Centre and Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre.
The Yukon government, in partnership with the Council of Yukon First Nations is hosting this three-day event that will be a discussion on Integration and Innovation in Mental Wellness and Substance Use Support.
The Summit will bring together local, national and international leaders, partners, Yukoners and people with lived and living experiences. This second phase follows the two-day online Mental Wellness Summit held earlier this year.
Presenters will cover a range of topics including prevention, treatment, support services, aftercare and harm reduction models and solutions. The Yukon government and health system partners will also provide updates on the work underway to respond to the Substance Use Health Emergency declared earlier this year.
The summit is free and anyone interested can participate virtually by registering online. All sessions will be recorded for online viewing after the summit. Sessions on Wednesday, September 21 and Thursday, September 22 will run from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Summit will conclude with a half-day on Friday, September 23, from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Due to space limitations, in-person attendance at the Summit is limited to invited guests. However, on September 21 and 22, evening sessions will be held at the Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. These sessions are free and open to the public and light refreshments will be provided.
Those interested in participating can register online for the September 21 and the September 22.
To learn more about the agenda, presenters and topics at the Summit, visit https://mws2.entegyapp.com/.
Phase two of the Mental Wellness Summit is continuing the important work with community partners to address problematic substance use and promote mental wellness across the territory. Since declaring a Substance Use Health Emergency, health system partners across the territory have worked hard to increase harm reduction initiatives, promote well-being and save lives. This summit represents a call to action for all Yukoners to play a role in helping create healthier, more inclusive communities. I look forward to hearing from leaders in this space, and people with lived experiences, on how we can continue this vital work to help support Yukoners struggling with substance use and mental health. I encourage all Yukoners to attend the public sessions and learn more about how they can contribute to creating stronger Yukon for everyone.
The Council of Yukon First Nations is pleased to be working in partnership with Yukon government to host this Mental Wellness Summit. Having the right supports in place and ensuring access to service delivery for Yukoners wherever they live form part of the complex array of challenges associated with this crisis which has had a significant impact on Yukon First Nations and rural communities. These matters merit dedicated discussion and this summit is intended to provide the space to explore and discuss new approaches.
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More than 550 participants from across the Yukon and Canada attended phase one of the Yukon government’s Mental Wellness Summit, hosted virtually on February 14 and 15, 2022.
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The most attended sessions covered Indigenous-led approaches to healing, reconciliation and cultural considerations in mental health and the impact of culture-based interventions.
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Perspectives brought forward at the Summit will support the Government of Yukon’s creation of a new Opioid Action Plan, which will be released later this year and build on the territory’s first action plan released in 2018.
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For mental wellness and substance use support, Yukoners can visit www.yukon.ca/en/mental-wellness or call 867-456-3838 to connect with the clinical team.
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For opioid-use disorder support, Yukoners can contact Opioid Treatment Services at 867-668-2552. A referral is not needed to access services.
Renée Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
867-334-9194
renee.francoeur@yukon.ca
Thibaut Rondel
Communications, Health and Social Services
867-393-6393
thibaut.rondel@yukon.ca
Lael Lund
Communications, Council of Yukon First Nations
867-335-3227
communications@cyfn.net