We’re Only Human Conference 2022

• Why a systems approach to workplace mental health is needed
• Prevention vs Reaction: Which works better?
• Why programs alone are not enough
• How chronic stress can impact mental health
• Key workplace factors and recommendations

Meet Our Speaker

Tiana Field-Ridely
Program Manager,Workplace Mental Health Mental Health Commission of Canada

Tiana is an enthusiastic mental health advocate with a passion for turning systems knowledge into real-world change. Through her extensive work with judicial systems, human resources, and workplace psychological health and safety, she had dedicated her career to improving mental health at every level and empowering others to do the same.

Tiana is currently working as a program manager at the Mental Health Commission of Canada, where she supports employers in building workplace mental health strategies that align with the National Standard of Canada on Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace. She also facilitates webinars and workshops, and helps develop workplace mental health resources, internal audit programs and leadership courses.

As a certified Psychological Health and Safety Advisor and serving member of numerous workplace mental health advisory committees, Tiana draws on her diverse knowledge and experience to help employers put mental wellness at the heart of their operations. She also holds a degree in Human Services, along with certifications in Mediation, Communication and Conflict Resolution as well as Workplace Fairness Restoration.

Previously, Tiana was self-employed as an independent Mental Health First Aid instructor and conflict management consultant with a focus on community development and the intersection of diversity, equity and inclusion and the intersectionality with mental health.

Tiana also spent six years serving on the Alberta Mental Health Review Panel where she gained extensive experience with in both mental health and judicial systems. During that time, she worked closely with individuals who had contact with the Mental Health Act and supported others experiencing mental health crises. Currently, she is appointed as an Appeals Commissioner for the Alberta Worker’s Compensation Appeals Board.

Meet Our Speaker

Nick Crighton
Director of Indigenous Engagement for the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce

Nick Crighton is a proud nêhiyaw man and father from the Waterhen Lake First Nation in Treaty 6 Territory in Saskatchewan. Nick’s Fiancée Viviana, his 4 beautiful children and family are his biggest supporters and they are what drive and inspire him everyday. He has spent the last 15 years growing his family, going to school and is currently the Director of Indigenous Engagement for the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce in Regina, SK. He is passionate about preserving Indigenous languages and culture and believes that education and sharing Indigenous history in our schools, businesses, and homes is imperative to bridging the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities so we can all connect, prosper and heal together.

Etchu will discuss some of the engagement challenges and solutions to participant engagement when doing Living Life to the Full fdor youth, and the importance of using technology fully while setting up guidelines.

Rebecca will talk about the Mentally Safe Minecraft Server, what inspired it, and how it can be used for player wellness.

Meet Our Speakers

Rebecca Rackow
Director of Advocacy, Research, & Public Policy Dev., with CMHA SK. Div.

Rebecca Rackow has completed her undergraduate studies in Psychology and Social Work with a strong focus on research and Canadian policy development and is currently working on her Masters as a graduate student. Rebecca has over 20 years of frontline experience with seniors, at-risk youth, children, and families. She is also a mother of five children. Rebecca has been involved in creating the Caregiver Affected Recovery Education (C.A.R.E.) program, the Emergency Wellness Response Lines (During the COVID-19 pandemic) and the Youth Support Programming at CMHA-Sask. She also takes calls from people looking for help, is working on a number of collaborative research projects, has spoken and presented to audiences both locally and Nationally regarding a number of mental health issues, and advocates for accessible mental health services for all.

Meet Our Speakers

Etchu Besong
Bounce Back Youth Support Worker with CMHA SK. Div.

Etchu Besong recently completed his undergraduate studies in Social Work in 2020. His previous experiences include, working with adults with disabilities, senior citizens, and with children and families. He currently facilitates mental wellness sessions for youth and adults; and responds to calls from individuals who need help finding additional mental health resources within the community, under the Youth Support Programming and systems navigation umbrella at CMHA-Sask. Etchu has been involved in local presentations on mental wellness and to create awareness of the availability of local CMHA-Sask support services for youth. He came to Canada five years ago following studies in South Korea. Etchu lives with his wife and two year old son. He is a strong supporter of customizing community mental wellness resources to suit the unique needs and experiences of marginalized groups in Saskatchewan and in Canada.

Elaina Guilmette's (PhD) passion is to equip individuals of all ages and abilities with the knowledge, skills, and tools that will help them enhance resiliency, increase self-awareness, and strengthen emotional intelligence. As a mental health advocate, she extensively studied and developed curricula to cultivate learning experiences that are empowering, relevant, and meaningful to one's personal mental health and well-being. Elaina provides education, training, school, and workplace wellness, to help individuals navigate mental health and well-being. In this session, participants will learn to identify stressors and assess their resilience strengths. Individuals will learn how to decrease their stress levels, engage in play, combat negative thinking, and understand the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

Meet Our Speaker

Elaina Guilmette PhD
Mental Wellness 30Teacher/Course DeveloperSun West Distance Learning Center

Dr. Elaina Guilmette holds a Doctor of Philosophy, a Master's in Curriculum Studies, and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Saskatchewan. She is a proud wife and mothers of four children.

Beloved comedian Jessica Holmes has been a perennial favourite on Royal Canadian Air Farce for 15 years, and has brought the house down opening for giants such as Ellen DeGeneres, Russell Peters, Jerry Seinfeld, and Oprah Winfrey. Her hilarious take on life’s challenges as well as her unique knack for skewering celebrities (including Nikki Minaj and Celine Dion) have audiences in stitches. Her customized emcee and entertainment presentations — which include motivation and wellness — are always a hit.

Behind the laughter though, Holmes — like millions of Canadians — has struggled both with post-partum depression and, as she puts it, “regular, run-of-the-mill, garden-variety depression”. Hoping to help end the stigma around mental health issues, she openly shares her personal stories with the humour she’s known for, bringing light — and laugh-out-loud laughter — to what can often be a dark topic. Holmes’ funny and inspiring book, Depression The Comedy: A Tale of Perseverance, takes readers deeper into her mental health journey with validation and warmth.

As a performer, Holnmes’ productions have garnered her a “Platinum Award” at The Worldfest International Film Festival, and nominations for Gemini Awards and the prestigious Tim Sims Scholarship. She stars in her own program, The Holmes Show, and has also starred in the films Welcome to Mooseport, Citizen Duane, and Moonpoint. She also appeared in the pilot for The Communist's Daughter, which won the JFL ComedyPro competition in 2018, and continues to perform comedy across the country.

Follow Holmes on Twitter and Instagram at @happyfeetholmes.

Psychological hazards are in every organization. Knowing the psychosocial factors is a great first step in fostering a mentally healthy workplace. Question: Do your employees feel like they are treated fairly at work? Is recognition given publicly and criticism provided privately? Does your organization offer a work-life balance? For a discussion on all of the 13 psychosocial factors in the workplace, join me to learn more about how you can make a change in your organization.

Meet Our Speaker

Shikara Dyck TCP
Senior Advisor, Safety Advisor and Certified Psychological Health & Safety Advisor Service Hospitality

Shikara Dyck is the Senior Advisor at Service Hospitality. She has been with Service Hospitality for three years, serving as a Safety Advisor and Senior Advisor. As a Safety Advisor, Shikara works closely with employers in the hospitality and community service sectors within Saskatchewan, helping them build safety management systems, offering risk-based training, safety evaluations, and consultation. As a Senior Advisor, Shikara is actively involved in leading programs and projects, mentoring, training, and supporting the Safety Advisor team.

In September 2020, Shikara was certified as a Psychological Health & Safety Advisor through the Canadian Mental Health Association, Saskatchewan Division. As a Certified Psychological Health and Safety Advisor, Shikara is uniquely qualified to assist employers in updating their current safety management systems to be aligned with the CSA Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace. She is also recently integrating psychological health and safety into Service Hospitality’s Health and Safety Leadership Certification (HSLC) program.

Shikara has a diploma in Hotel and Restaurant Administration from SIAST Kelsey Campus and holds a national designation as a Tourism Certified Professional (TCP) from Saskatchewan Tourism Education Council. In 2019 she began her Occupational Health and Safety Certification program with the University of New Brunswick.

Problem Gambling is often referred to as a ‘hidden’ addiction. Many people are unaware of the deep and profound harms gambling can cause individuals and their families. This session will help provide information on what gambling is, how to spot the warning signs of a problem, and how/where to get support, whether you or someone you know is struggling with a gambling problem.

Meet Our Speaker

Nicole Tanish
Educational Coordinator with the Gambling Awareness Program of CMHA SK. Div.

Nicole Tainsh is the Central Coordinator for the Gambling Awareness Program. For the past three years Nicole has worked with students, community organizations, and professionals to educate the residents of Saskatchewan about responsible gambling and the harms caused by problem gambling. Prior to her role with the Gambling Awareness Program, Nicole attended the University of Ottawa (2019) and received her Master of Arts in International Development with a specialization in Community Health. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hanging out with her cat quiz, and watching baseball.