Activities & Events

Next SynapTic webinar on May 20 at noon:How can we better support young people experiencing suicidal crises?

This interactive presentation, based on real-world clinical cases, will offer practical tools to enhance clinical interventions.

By stepping away from a purely clinical lens, you will explore the lived experiences of young people, their families, and professional teams. You will identify strategies, grounded in the latest evidence-based recommendations, to strengthen therapeutic alliances, foster emotional regulation, and tailor interventions to real needs.

Objectives :

• Identify practical tools to support young
  people experiencing a suicidal crisis;
• Adopt a decentered approach by integrating
  the perspectives of young people, families, and
  professionals into intervention planning;
• Apply best-practice strategies to reduce
  young people’s suffering and prevent suicide.

Speakers:

MICHEL SPODENKIEWICZ, MD, PHD: is a child psychiatrist at the CIUSSS
de l’Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal and an associate researcher at the CEYMH
and INSERM (France).

Trained in Paris, Montreal, and San Francisco, he specializes in suicide prevention and trauma-related disorders in young people. He develops an integrative approach centered on the experiences of young people,
families, and teams.

He is also a reviewer for several international psychiatry journals and an active member of various research networks.

CHELSEA CUFFARO, BA.: is a Master’s student in Counselling Psychology at McGill University and a Lived Experience Coordinator at the Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health (CEYMH) at the Douglas Research Centre.

After struggling with mental health issues for years, she decided to transform her pain into power to help others through her story.

Next SynapTic webinar on May 12 at noon:Cyberfraud unleashed:
a battle against the invisible

In 2018, Canada ranked 3rd among 20 countries with the highest number of reported online fraud cases – though only 5-10 % of victims came forward. By December 31, 2024, nearly 35,000 victims were reported, with 49,438 reports processed and losses totaling $638 million.

This interactive webinar features different perspectives: one will explore the hidden world of virtual fraud through real-life cases, while the other highlights victim profiles. With a better understanding of these issues, the participants will leave with tools to protect themselves and help raise awareness among family and friends.

Objectives :

• Learn about six major types of cyber frauds 
• Demystify victim profiles
• Understand how to support fraud victims
• Know who to contact in the event of fraud

Speakers:

JO-ANNE M. WEMMERS: Professor at the School of Criminology of the University of Montreal, Jo-Anne Wemmers is a specialist in victimology. She heads the Victims, Rights and Society research team at the International Centre for Comparative Criminology. She also co-directs the Centre de justice pour les victimes d’actes criminels (www.cjvac.ca) at the Université de Montréal. Ms. Wemmers is vicepresident of the World Society of Victimology and editor of the International Review of Victimology.

SERGEANT-INVESTIGATOR: member of the Integrated Financial Crime Team of the Specialized Cyber and Financial Crime Investigation Department of the Sûreté du Québec

Next SynapTic webinar on April 29 at noon:Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): The Imperative for Action

New guidelines from the Canadian Thoracic Society (CTS) include strategies for reducing exacerbations. For the first time, they also include reducing the risk of mortality as part of managing patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

They are also innovative in that they consider the climate impact of treatment options available to patients. These guidelines also address the connection between COPD exacerbations and cardiovascular risks, which often lead to complications and premature death.

Objectives :

• Recognizing how the risk of future exacerbations, mortality, and cardiopulmonary complications highlights the need for urgent action in COPD patients;
• Identify the best approaches and eco-friendly treatment options for COPD patients;
• Promote and integrate adoption of the new 2023 guidelines for better management in primary care from the Canadian Thoracic Society (CTS).

Speaker:

STÉPHANIE ALEXANDRE: has been an AstraZeneca Medical Sciences Liaison—Primary Respiratory Care since 2024.

Stéphanie has more than 25 years’ experience as a respiratory therapist at the Lakeshore General Hospital of the CIUSSS de l’Ouest-de-l’Île-de-
Montréal, including 18 years as the coordinator for systematic COPD follow-up.

Is humanization in management an abstract ideal? In this webinar, we’ll explore humanization strategies in management, using storytelling and the audience’s own experience.

Objectives :

• Understand humanization in healthcare management and the impact of dehumanization;
• Identify humanist practices applicable in a context of change;
• Illustrate the application of the Zhang et al. (2022) humanist leadership model using concrete examples

Speakers:

MARIE-PIERRE AVOINE, RN. M. Sc.: Assistant Director of Nursing Care at the CIUSSS de l’Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal.

CATHERINE HUPÉ, inf. M. Sc. Ph. D.: Professor in the Department of Health Sciences at the Université du Québec à Rimouski.

Why shouldn’t nutrition be a clinical priority? During a stay in a healthcare centre, nutrition should be emphasized to help prevent deterioration in nutritional and health status, and to treat certain pathologies. The presentation will demonstrate how enhancing the value of food services could improve the quality of care, while also enabling potential cost savings.

Objectives: 

• Demonstrate the importance of food services in the therapeutic management of users: 
  • What we can do to ensure the positive impact of food services on the therapeutic management of users;
  • Identify possible solutions;
  • Find the steps involved;
  • Recognize the benefits;
  • Become familiar with opportunities for future improvement.

Speakers: 

Marie-Hélène Cyr, RD.:is a nutritionist advisor at the CIUSSS ODIM with a wide range of experience in various clinical settings and food service management. She is passionate about the importance of promoting and implementing best practices in nutritional care

Debby Berteau, RD : y is a nutritionist in a consulting role with the Food Services Management team at the CIUSSS de l’Ouest-de-l’Île-deMontréal. She oversees the development and implementation of rigorous criteria for the menu management system.

Pain is a complex phenomenon involving various neurophysiological mechanisms. Dysregulation of endogenous modulation systems can lead to centrally generated pain, which is often resistant to conventional treatments. Differentiating neuropathic pain from nociceptive pain is crucial to adapting therapeutic approaches.

This presentation explores identification of underlying mechanisms and adjustment of treatments according to pain type. It also highlights the influence of psychological factors on these mechanisms and their impact on treatment efficacy.

Objectives: 

• Distinguish between the clinical features of nociceptive, neuropathic and neuroplastic pain;
• Explore the role of central pain mechanisms in the development and persistence of chronic pain;
• Develop strategies for defining collaborative treatment goals with the patient.

Speaker: 

DR. Serge Marchand.: is a professor in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at the Université de Sherbrooke and a researcher at CRCHUS.

He has served as Scientific Director of CRCHUS, the Fonds de recherche du Québec—Santé (FRQS) and Lucine, a digital therapy start-up in Bordeaux. He was also Scientific Vice-President at Génome Québec.

He is the author of several articles and books on pain. His research explores the neurophysiological mechanisms involved in the development, persistence and treatment of chronic pain, contributing to the advancement of knowledge and treatments in this field.

We all experience stress daily and are continually regulating our physiological, emotional, and cognitive responses to stress in our environments. Experiences of extreme stress and adversity can overwhelm people’s response systems, leading to dysregulation in a high-stress moment. Dysregulation can manifest as withdrawal, aggression, or violence.

In trauma-informed approaches, changes to physiological, emotional, and cognitive responses to high-stress experiences are viewed as adaptive. Because these responses are adaptive, they are candidates for change through interventions that increase regulation capacity and reduce dysregulation, aggression, and violence.

We will share examples from our research on such interventions and how they work.

Objectives: 

• Increase understanding of the adaptive nature of our physiological, emotional, and cognitive responses to stress;
• Increase understanding of the relationship between dysregulation and responses that are withdrawn, aggressive, or violent;
• Demonstrate interventions that can be used inmoments of dysregulation to support regulation and inhibit withdrawal, aggression, or violence;
• Explore interventions that can be used to change behaviour and develop new adaptive responses to stress and adversity to remain regulated during experiences of high stress.

Speakers: 

• Katherine Maurer, PHD; LSMW RSW.: is an Associate Professor in the McGill School of Social Work and obtained a PhD in Clinical Social Work at New York University Silver School of Social Work. Katherine practiced in New York City as a trauma therapist and clinical social worker with diverse marginalised populations.

This rapid literature review explores the needs and challenges faced by male caregivers, identifying the available support services. Generally, these men encounter emotional, physical, social, economic, and legal challenges. The needs vary among populations, including men in general, those from ethnocultural communities, the LGBTQ2A+ community, rural areas, and senior men.

This review highlights the necessity of developing targeted interventions, tailored and inclusive support programs, as well as holistic and flexible approaches to address their diverse needs.

Objectives: 

• To determine the needs, issues, and best practices of male caregiving.
• To identify the various support services used by male caregivers.

Speakers: 

• Bertine Sandra Akouamba, PHD; LSSGB.: Scientific Advisor at the Health and Social Services Technology and Intervention Assessment Unit of the CIUSSS de l’Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal since 2018. Holding a doctorate in microbiology and immunology and a Lean Six Sigma certification, she has been developing evidence-based decision support tools since 2012.
• Sophie Audette-Chapdelaine: Scientific advisor at the Health and Social Services Technology and Intervention Assessment Unit of the CIUSSS de l’Ouest-de-l’Île-de Montréal, she has nearly 20 years of experience in research and scientific knowledge dissemination, particularly in health, law, and anthropology.

Presentation of research results from the Douglas Mental Health University Institute and clinical experience from the Grand Chemin.

The Internet and new technologies occupy a central place in our personal and professional lives. Young people, born into this digital environment, are daily users. However, for some, this use becomes excessive, leading to psychological, social and professional impacts as well as feelings of distress: this is what is known as cyberaddiction.

This webinar will offer an overview of current research into cyberaddiction among young people, while proposing concrete solutions to encourage healthy use of technology. It will also include a testimonial and a presentation by the Grand Chemin organization.

Objectives: 

• Recognizing the impact of cyberaddiction on the brain and hippocampus;
• Showing the complex profile of young people with problematic Internet use (UPI);
• Identifying solutions: everything is reversible.

Speakers: 

• DR. Véronique Bohbot, PHD.: Dr. Bohbot is an expert in the field of spatial memory. She uses virtual reality and neuroimaging to study the impact of technologies such as video games on the hippocampus and their consequences for healthy cognition, as well as stimulating memory and the hippocampus, thereby reducing the risk of neurological and psychiatric disorders.
• Marie-Josée Michaud: Ms. Michaud is a Coordinator of prevention services, consultant in addiction, screen and substance use disorders. With an exceptional ability to make complex ideas accessible and captivating, she transforms abstract concepts into tangible knowledge. She excels at creating a stimulating learning environment. She draws on her experience as a youth worker.

Exploring non-pharmacological approaches when managing behaviours

People living with a major neurocognitive disorder (MNCD) are vulnerable as their cognitive impairment distorts how they see and interpret their environment. This webinar will discuss how anxiety is the root of many behaviours exhibited by people with MNCD. With a better understanding of the reason why a person with MNCD can become anxious, intervenors can use non-pharmacological approaches to intervene and respond to the person’s need.

Speaker: 

• Meghan Williams, NSW: Meghan Williams is a Social Worker at the Montreal West Island Integrated University Health and Social Services Centre. With over 17 years of clinical experience in dementia and other related neurocognitive disorder care, she uses a person-centred approach to improve the quality of lives of families and individuals.

Presentation of research results and clinical examples

There has been an increase across Canada and around the world in death by suicide and Emergency Department visits related to suicidal ideation and attempts by young people, including those under 14 years old. This is particularly true for girls. This webinar will look at current knowledge in suicide in young people under 14 years old. It will include research results, guidelines, and clinical illustrations.

Speakers: 

• Marie-Claude Geoffroy, PhD : Marie-Claude is a psychologist, associate professor at McGill University, and a researcher at the Douglas Mental Health University Institute. She holds the Canada Research Chair in Youth Suicide Prevention and studies youth suicide, risk and protective factors. She also intervenes to improve youth mental health
• Michel Spodenkiewicz, MD, PhD: Child psychiatrist and researcher at the Douglas Mental Health University Institute. His research looks at the mental health of vulnerable youth, including suicidal behaviours and depression. Using quantitative and qualitative approaches, he aims to improve treatments by integrating diverse perspectives to create a global understanding of mental health.

May 21st, 2024: Attitudes of Early Chidcare Staff toward Inclusive Education

Presentation of research results

Given new policies on inclusivity, studies on inclusivity in school settings show significant link between the attitudes of the staff and the quality of inclusion for children in early childood care settings. It is the first experience with integration for these children, and few studies have looked into staff attitudes on inclusive education in such settings. 

Speaker: 

• Catalina Mejia-Cardenas, PhD/Psy: Catalina has worked at the CIUSSS de l'Ouest-de-l'île-de-Montréal since 2020.She provides psychotherapy to users and clinical support to intervention teams. She is also part of the autism and intellectual disabilities diagnostic assessment team. She holds a graduate diploma in autism intervention and a PhD in psychology. Catalina has over 10 years' experience working with autistic individuals. In addition to her clinical work, she also lectures at UQÀM.

April 23rd, 2024: Opioid Use Disorders: Meeting needs to support recovery

Presentation of research results

Opioid use disorders (OUD) and their impacts have increased in recent decades, affecting a heterogeneous group of people. It is estimated that a significant proportion of people affected by an OUD receive no evidence-based treatments to reduce the negative consequences of opioid use. A series of structural, clinical and individual obstacles hinder both access to treatment and continuation of treatment. Our work highlights different profiles of individuals with an OUD, as well as their needs, experiences, and recovery objectives, in order to provide services that are better adapted.

Speakers: 

• Michel Perreault, PhD: Researcher at the Douglas Mental Health University Institute and an associate professor in the department of psychiatry at McGill University. He is also an adjunct professor in psychology (UQÀM) and in addiction (Université de Sherbrooke), as well as a researcher with the Institut universitaire sur les dépendances, the Réseau information scientifiques du Québec and the Québec Pain Research Networt.
• Léonie Archambault, PhD: Researcher with the Institut universitaire sur les dépendances at the CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal. From 2012 to 2013 she worked at the Douglas Research Centre on a number of opioid-related projects under the supervision of Michel Perreault.
• Isabelle Boisvert: Patient partner and speaker with experiential knowledge. Responsible for partnerships with and for the laboratory of Dr. Julie Bruneau (Centre de recherche du CHUM/ICRIS-CRISM Québec).