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SPEAKER SERIES: Building Compassionate Communities
Apr 26, 2024
The Canadian Mental Health Association Nova Scotia Division [CMHA NS] is proud to present Building Compassionate Communities, a virtual speakers series that highlights the healing power of compassion and the important role it plays in mental health. The series is being held as part of CMHA Mental Health Week, an annual education and social change campaign that promotes mental health and wellness.
The Speaker Series includes mental health advocates and experts from across the province who champion mental health and work to help Nova Scotians foster compassion in their communities and within themselves.
The series will be held on Zoom and runs between Monday, May 6 and Thursday, May 9.
There is no cost to attend any of these events but we ask that guests register in advance.
Schedule
Monday, May 6
LIVE RECORDING of Sam Madore’s Let’s Overthink About It: Exploring Self and Community Compassion with Susan Henderson and Sarah Flemming
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. | Zoom | REGISTER
Tuesday, May 7
LUNCH AND LEARN: Creating Compassionate Workplaces with Tracy Hiltz
Time: 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. | Zoom | REGISTER
Wednesday, May 8
LUNCH AND LEARN:Overcoming Compassion Fatigue with Naj Siritsky
Time: 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. | Zoom | REGISTER
Wednesday, May 8
WORKSHOP: Unpacking Compassion: Keys to Effective Peer Support with Junior Moaku
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. | Zoom | REGISTER
Thursday, May 9
Lunch and Learn: A kinder world starts with self-compassion: tools for fostering compassionate youth with Carly Hominuk
Time: 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.| Zoom| REGISTER
About Mental Health Week
From May 6 – 12 CMHA branches and divisions across Canada will recognize Mental Health Week. Mental Health Week is an education and social change campaign that helps promote behaviours and attitudes that foster well-being, support good mental health and create a culture of understanding and acceptance. The theme for Mental Health Week 2024 is Healing through Compassion.
How to get involved with Mental Health Week:
- Download and share tools HERE
- Download our Resources HERE
- View our event calendar and attend an event
- Make a donation HERE
Where to follow us:
- X (formerly Twitter)
- Linked In
About our Speakers
Sam Madore (She/Her) | Podcast Host, ‘Let Me Overthink About it’
Sam Madore is an entrepreneur, speaker and mental health advocate who wears many hats.
She is a marketing and event professional who inspires her clients to find creative ways to promote their businesses, organizations, and events through social and traditional media.
Sam is also a published author – with three children’s books that address mental health topics such as bullying, anxiety and grief. Sam’s latest release, Bert’s Tool Box: A Book About Anxiety is available on her website.
She is also the host of the Let Me Overthink About It Podcast, where she and her guests explore topics that occupy their anxious minds. A connector of people, Sam thrives on collaboration and prides herself on being real.
She inspires and challenges others to rise to the occasion and works hard to make her community a more cohesive place.
Sam is currently working in Strategic Marketing and Communications with the United Way of Colchester.
Connect with at Sam at [email protected]
Sarah Flemming (She/Her) | Executive Director, United Way Colchester County
Sarah Flemming is the current Executive Director at the United Way of Colchester County.
Sarah is passionate about housing solutions that work in community to keep everyone housed, addressing the impacts of poverty, and advocating for basic income. Sarah is also committed to creating inclusive and accessible communities where every person feels welcome.
At home Sarah enjoys hanging out with her family, reading, and getting outside whenever possible!
Connect with Sarah at [email protected]
Susan Henderson (She/Her) | Executive Director of CMHA Colchester East-Hants Branch
A lifetime resident of Colchester County, Susan Henderson is currently the Executive Director of the Canadian Mental Health Association, Colchester East Hants Branch.
Graduating from the Arts program at Saint Mary’s University, Susan has worked in the not-for-profit and volunteering sector since 1985. This included the beginnings of a number of long standing organizations such as the Colchester Food Bank and the Third Place Transition House.
Following 7 years of employment at the Nova Scotia Residential Center she began a 15-year career in youth justice where she was involved in the establishment of the provincial Restorative Justice program.
During this time Susan became involved with Nova Institution, eventually serving as the Co-Chair of the CSC National Volunteer Association for 3 years.
Susan began her employment with the local branch of CMHA CEH in November of 2010 and continued to serve on a number of Board and Committees. Currently she serves as a Board Member of the Colchester Sexual Assault Center, is the Co-Chair of the Northern Patient Rights Advisory Committee and the Chair of Governors of the Jane Norman College.
She is a proud wife, mom of two grown children and two cats.
With nature as her reset button, Susan loves to garden and spend time outside. Happiest by the ocean, as much time as possible is spent at her family camp with loved ones and friends.
Susan wants to leave the world a better, softer place, and to help people see the potential in themselves.
Connect with Susan at [email protected]
Tracy Hiltz, (She/Her), Provincial Lead, At-Work|Au Travail, CMHA NS Division
As Provincial Lead of the At-Work|Au Travail program, Tracy Hiltz helps individuals who self-identify with mental health issues find safe and sustainable employment.
Within the role, Tracy works with clients to build their resume and cover letters, develop job search skills, and connect with employers. Tracy also co-facilitates Caring Connections.
Tracy has 13 years of experience working in the mental health field and lives with complex PTSD. Tracy is also a Certified Peer Supporter [CPS].
She is passionate about empowering individuals to reach their full potential in life.
When not at work Tracy loves being in nature, whether it is hiking a trail, fishing, camping, snowshoeing or sitting watching the ocean. She also enjoys crocheting, which she taught herself over the pandemic.
Connect with Tracy at [email protected]
Naj Leger Siritsky, (He/Him/They/We) | MA, D. Min., BCC, MSSW, RSW, PP Professional Practice and Advocacy Consultant | Nova Scotia College of Social Workers
Naj Leger Siritsky is the Professional Practice and Advocacy Consultant for the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers.
Naj completed their doctoral research on burnout in health care providers and has extensive experience in education, advocacy, and community organizing as well as in healthcare including community mental health, hospice and palliative care.
Prior to their current role, Naj served as Vice President of a large healthcare system in the United States which included the largest nonprofit free-standing psychiatric hospital in the country.
Naj also worked with the American Red Cross disaster debriefing team and has published widely on several topics related to health care, social justice, spiritual care and trauma.
Connect with Naj at [email protected]
Junior Moaku (He/Him) | Founder, Save Me Save We
Junior Moaku is an avid mental health advocate whose work is focused on contextualizing the power and advantages of psychological health.
Through evidence-based workshops and various training methods, Junior’s mission is to improve the wellness literacy of all Canadians.
Junior grew a passion for mental health after noticing the lack of resources, accessibility, and assertiveness around the subject in universities.
He launched his awareness movement by wearing a t-shirt with the words Save Me. After an overwhelming positive response, he founded Save Me Save We to increase awareness around mental health.
Junior is a well travelled individual whose educational background includes Chicago Hope Preparatory Academy, Iowa Central Community College, Cape Breton University, and Acadia University.
Connect with Junior at [email protected]
Carly Hominuk, (She/Her) | BA, MACP, RCT-C, CCC | Flow Psychotherapy and Mental Health Services
Carly Hominuk is a registered counselling therapist candidate who specializes in working with trauma, PTSD, grief, relationship issues, anxiety, and depression.
She also has experience working with clients dealing with chronic pain, chronic procrastination, struggles with addiction, dissociation, and borderline personality disorder.
In her free time, Carly enjoys reading, moving her body, unwinding with loved ones, going on long podcast walks, enjoying the different outdoor smells the changing seasons bring.
Connect with Carly at [email protected]