KEMI AMUSAN HOSTS WEBINAR ON MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS IN TORONTO, CANADA

By Lekan Adejuwon

MS Amusan is a resourceful Nigerian- Canadian high flying professional who has held many positions as Assistant Registrar of
All Saints University, School of Medicine and Nursing, Dominica, a member of the Board of Directors of African Canadian Social Development Council (ACSDC) and the President/CEO of Global Women Ambassador, Toronto Canada.
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Register here: ZOOM LINK – https://bit.ly/46cQIqT

Zoom Meeting ID: 857 5544 6566

Speakers are drawn from different parts of the world – Canada, United Kingdom, Nigeria etc.

Ms. Kemi Amusan in a chat with Oases News explained further that the august meeting was imperative because of her exposure to African communities especially in the Greater Toronto Area as well as other countries with huge presence of immigrants and Africans where Developmental disabilities, especially autism are still categorized as evil and witchcraft affliction.

She hinted that parents of such abnormal children are stigmatized and may not be open to discussing the topic thereby being deprived of emotional support needed at the appropriate time.

According to her “It is a hard topic to talk about in the black community but we must break the ice to look for support, resources and possible solutions”.

MS Kemi Amusan has rich experience in the areas of community service, women and support, networking with newcomers and older ones all of whom have inspired her for the clarion call to attend to this crucial topic.

Globally, families, health care workers, teachers, community leaders and friends all over the world are gearing up for this much needed round table discussion.

Speakers are drawn from all walks of life such as Academia, the Health Industry, Direct Workers, Parents etc.

Keynote Speaker is Nazilla Khanlou, RN, PhD in Women’s Health Research Chair in Mental Health in the Faculty of Health at York University and Professor in its School of Nursing.

She is the Academic Lead of the Lillian Meighen Wright Maternal-Child Health Scholars Program. Professor Khanlou’s clinical background is in psychiatric nursing. Her overall program of research is situated in the interdisciplinary field of community-based mental health promotion in general, and mental health promotion among youth and women in multicultural and immigrant-receiving settings in particular.

Guest Speaker: Mrs. Dotun Akande, the Founder and Director of Patrick Speech and Languages Centre, (Patricks) Ikeja, Lagos. Patricks qualified as the first Nigerian Autism Centre to be registered with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards.

Guest Speaker: Hon. Sade Etti, currently doing her Masters in Mental Health, is a Hackney Council Cabinet member tackling homelessness and housing needs. She fights for a better deal for homeless people by providing portfolio leadership and contributing to the strategic agenda and work programs within the Borough to ensure the delivery of Hackney Council’s Mayoral manifesto commitment. She has organized community conversations on domestic violence.

Lady Kay emphasized the need for the program to make it global by doing it online.

Her words; ”We need to stop pushing this under the table, we need to discuss it openly and find support and solutions together. And to the Service Providers – a huge shout out to you”.

This is a joint program of Global Women Ambassadors Canada and 3C Autism and Mental Health Support Services (www.3Cautismsupport.com) both based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada supported by the African Canadian Social Development Council (ACSDC) an ardent supporter of Black community based programs.
 

View some of the Speakers

Nazilla Khanlou, RN, PhD

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

She is the Women’s Health Research Chair in Mental  Health in the Faculty of Health at York University and Professor in its School of Nursing. She is the Academic Lead of the Lillian Meighen Wright Maternal-Child Health Scholars Program.   Professor Khanlou’s clinical background is in psychiatric nursing. Her overall program of research is situated in the interdisciplinary field of community-based mental health promotion in general, and mental health promotion among youth and women in multicultural and immigrant-receiving settings in particular. She applies intersectionality-informed frameworks, using diverse research methods, in community-based research. She is founder of the International Network on Youth Integration (INYI), an international network for knowledge exchange and collaboration on youth, and Editor-in-Chief of INYI Journal. She has published articles, books, and reports on immigrant youth and women, and mental health.

Register here: ZOOM LINK – https://bit.ly/46cQIqT

Zoom Meeting ID: 857 5544 6566
 
 

Mrs. Dotun Akande – Guest Speaker

Mrs Dotun Akande is the Founder and Director of Patrick Speech and Languages Centre, (Patricks) Ikeja, Lagos. Autism campaign was revolutionized in Nigeria when Patricks came to the scene. Today, Patricks stands tall as the pioneer Special Needs Centre for the education and advancement of people with Autism, offering individualized based therapeutic services using best practices. Together with her cerebral team, they successfully transform the life of every individual that walks through their doors, spot lighting their individual strength and abilities. As a qualified Behaviour Analyst from the Florida Institute of Technology and an advanced Certified Autism Specialist (ACAS), Patricks qualified as the first Nigerian Autism Centre to be registered with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). She also holds a diploma in School leadership from the Lagos Business School. Her achievements include but not limited to, Cherie Blair Mentee, Vlisco Woman, Access Bank Plc “W Power of 100” and “WimBiz Inspire Me 2”, to mention a few. She enrolled in the John Maxwell Leadership Program to enable her continue the national advocacy for the differently able. She is happily married with 3 beautiful children.

 
Register here: ZOOM LINK – https://bit.ly/46cQIqT

Zoom Meeting ID: 857 5544 6566
 

Hon. Sade Etti – Guest Speaker

Hon. Sade Etti is currently doing her Masters in Mental Health, is a Hackney Council Cabinet member tackling homelessness and housing needs. She fights for a better deal for homeless people by providing portfolio leadership and contributing to the strategic agenda and work programs within the Borough to ensure the delivery of Hackney Council’s Mayoral manifesto commitment.

She was first elected to the council in 2014 and assumed the role of Hackney Council speaker in 2015/2016. Sade raised funds for three charities during her role as Speaker and organized community conversations on domestic violence. Sade has formerly chaired Community Safety and Social Inclusion Scrutiny Commission; reviewing the accessibility and visibility of council services to vulnerable groups within the Borough and under her leadership, the team suggested a cross cutting recommendation implemented by the Council. Sade has occupied other positions within Hackney Council before her eventual appointment as Hackney Council cabinet member in 2021.

Sade currently chairs Hackney Council faith forum, working with community faith leaders to improve cohesion and reduce inequalities in the Borough, as well as collaborating with other stakeholders in pursuit of common aims and priorities. She is a member of Chartered Institute of Housing and other professional associations, and an above average table tennis player.

Register here: ZOOM LINK – https://bit.ly/46cQIqT

Zoom Meeting ID: 857 5544 6566

Culled from OASESNEWS Newsmakers