Supporting IYS Clinical Preparedness for Responding to Crises and Emergencies Impacting Youth (Pan-Canadian)

PROGRAM GOALS

This program aims to strengthen the clinical capacity of Integrated Youth Services (IYS) service providers and other youth mental health clinicians to effectively respond to youth experiencing community-based crises and emergencies – ranging from environmental and community disasters to public health crises – through an evidence-based ECHO learning model.

By the end of this ECHO program, participants will be able to:

    1. Apply evidence-informed approaches to supporting youth during natural disasters, displacement, suicide clusters, and other emergencies.
    2. Integrate trauma-informed, culturally safe, and equity-centered practices in emergency and crisis response.
    3. Engage youth and other partners to collaboratively develop localized, coordinated response plans that align with IYS models of care.
    4. Identify and address gaps in service preparedness within their organizations and communities.
    5. Strengthen transdisciplinary communication and confidence in crisis management.

This program also offers participants the opportunity to earn a completion certificate while learning from experts and connecting with peers across the country.

IYS Website

PROGRAM INFO

Location: Zoom Videoconferencing

Time: 
2:00PM – 3:30PM EST

Length: 6 Sessions (February 4, 2026 – March 11, 2026)

When: Wednesday Afternoons (Weekly)

Target Audience: Youth mental health and other service providers

To view curriculum content, please click on the toggle button below.

Below is a list of curriculum topics that are anticipated to be included in this program.

  1. IYS foundations in emergency preparedness and response.
  2. Emergency preparedness and responses in rural, remote and Indigenous communities.
  3. Responding to suicide clusters, mass casualties, and other community crises.
  4. Addressing climate worry, anticipatory anxiety, and youth-driven climate action.
  5. Manifestations of trauma, anxiety, and substance use in crisis contexts.
  6. Collaboration within communities across the emergency care continuum.
  7.  

HOW DO I SIGN UP?

Registration for Winter 2026 is now open!
Register Here

If you have questions or would like to be added onto our pan-Canadian mailing list, click on the button below to contact us.

Contact Us

SESSION STRUCTURE

Welcome, Introduction, and Announcements – 5 minutes

Didactic Presentation, Lived Experience Comments and Q&A – 30 minutes

Case Discussion – 35 minutes

Addressing Outstanding Questions and Session Wrap-Up – 5 minutes

WHAT'S THE COMMITMENT?

Attend 60% of program sessions

Present an anonymized case/scenario

Participate in group discussions

Provide feedback through evaluation activities

 

WHO'S RUNNING THESE SESSIONS?

Our program sessions are run by a cross-sectoral Hub Team from multiple youth mental health and other organizations across Canada. 

Please click on the toggle buttons below to see who will be facilitating these sessions.

  1. Alexa Bagnell (Psychiatrist)
  2. Allison Crawford (Psychiatrist)
  3. Gina Dimitropoulos (Social Worker)
  4. Jacqui Jesso (Red Cross Senior Manager, Mental Health & Psychosocial Support)
  5. Janis Wolfe (Psychologist)
  6. Jessica Pye (Red Cross Senior Manager, Social Emergencies)
  7. Jo Henderson (Psychologist/Senior Scientist)
  8. Kwame McKenzie (Psychiatrist)
  9. Lee Cameron (Youth and Family Engagement Coordinator)
  10. Mackenzie Hilton (Librarian)
  11. Margaret McKinnon (Psychologist)
  12. Michelle Peralta (Nurse Practitioner)
  13. Peter Szatmari (Psychiatrist)
  14. Raelene Hodgson (Rural and Remote Community Development)
  15. Sanjeev Sockalingam (Psychiatrist)
  16. Sean Kidd (Psychologist)
  17. Shelley Cardinal (Red Cross Senior Director, Office of Indigenous Relations)
  18. Swelen Andari (Creative Arts Therapist)
  19. Toni Carlton (Director, Services)