Mental Health Awareness and Communication Series
Encompas Mental Health Wellness Program
About the speaker:
Dr. Manion is a clinical child, youth and family psychologist and scientist-practitioner who has worked with children, youth and families for over 35 years, 30 of which were at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. He was the founding Executive Director of the Ontario Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health at CHEO and Director of Youth Mental Health Research at the Royal’s Institute of Mental Health Research. Dr. Manion is still involved in research on mental health promotion, systems of care, youth depression and suicide. He has a particular interest in, and provides consultation services on, meaningful youth engagement and how services are organized to best meet the mental health needs of youth. He is a committed advocate for child and youth mental health In Canada and internationally. He is co-founder of Youth Net/ Réseau Ado, a bilingual community-based mental health promotion program with satellites across Canada. Dr. Manion is the father of five grown children. He is also a person with lived experience who served as a spokesperson for the Bell Let’s Talk campaign in 2018.
About the Session:
Please join us on Wed August 25th 10am-11am for a conversation with Dr. Manion on “Parenting, Stress, Mental Health and Living Through COVID”. This webinar will discuss the particular stressors experienced by children, youth, and their parents as we all seek to cope with the pandemic. Attention will be given to unique issues faced by first responders (and retirees) as parents and extended family members. An emphasis will be on the signs and symptoms that might suggest that a child, youth, or parent is struggling beyond their ability to cope and how to talk about such issues within the family. Specific strategies for parents to best support their children and youth will be shared. The focus will be on resilience and coping and the right time to seek help.
In some families, the stress and challenges highlighted during such discussions can spill over into more serious issues, including disputes over child custody or support. When tensions rise and parents struggle to find common ground, it can become difficult to make decisions that truly reflect the best interests of the children. In these situations, seeking guidance from professionals who understand both family dynamics and the legal framework is crucial. Sterling Lawyers, LLC can assist families in navigating custody arrangements, support agreements, and related concerns, helping to ensure that children’s needs remain the priority.
Having a knowledgeable attorney involved doesn’t just clarify legal rights—it also provides a sense of stability during emotionally charged times. By addressing potential conflicts early and thoughtfully, families can reduce stress and work toward solutions that support healthy relationships.
Ultimately, the goal is to create a safe and supportive environment for children while helping parents manage the challenges that arise from complex family circumstances. With the right legal and emotional support, families can move forward with clarity, confidence, and a focus on resilience.
Attending sessions like this one with Dr. Manion provides valuable insight and guidance for navigating the mental health challenges that come with parenting during unpredictable times. But alongside learning and open dialogue, it’s equally important to recognize the value of having diverse therapeutic options available—especially when traditional routes aren’t enough.
Depression can be particularly stubborn, often lingering even when families are doing everything “right.” This is where alternative treatments, such as ketamine therapy, are gaining recognition. Clinics like Avesta Ketamine Wellness offer a new path forward for individuals dealing with treatment-resistant depression and anxiety. When integrated thoughtfully with family support and education, ketamine therapy can help restore balance and hope. It’s not about replacing conversations—it’s about complementing them with innovative care when it’s most needed.
Visit EncompasCare.ca to register and learn more.
Note: To ensure your anonymity, your registration information will ONLY be available to the hosts from Dalton Associates. Registrants will NOT have the option of turning on their camera or microphone at any time. Questions will be managed through the text Q&A which are sent only to the hosts – Dalton Associates. They will either answer those questions verbally without referencing the name of the participant who asked the question, or privately through the text function.
All sessions will be delivered through the PHIPA complaint version of Zoom Webinar.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact encompas@daltonassociates.ca.
National Peacekeepers’ Day was established in Canada in 2008. Canadians express the pride and respect for the members of and municipal police members who have served. Thank you all from the OPP Association. Follow the tributes to our peacekeepers on social media on hash tag #NationalPeacekeepersday. Learn about the creation on “National Peacekeepers’ Day on official Government of Canada website here.
National Peacekeepers' Day was established in Canada in 2008. Canadians express the pride and respect for the members of @CanadianForces, @rcmpgrcpolice, @OPP_News and municipal police members who have served. Thank you all from the OPP Association. #NationalPeaceKeepersDay 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/xNGFKGHA71
— OPPA (OPP Association) (@OPPAssociation) August 9, 2021
Happy Indigenous Day Since 1994. August 9th annually is International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples led by the United Nations. We encourage our members and everyone to check out the official United Nations website on this important day. Follow the hash tag #WeAreIndigenous on Twitter to see the world support for this day.
Happy #IndigenousDay. Since1994. August 9th annually is International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples led by the United Nations. We encourage our members and everyone to check out the official @UN website on this important day. https://t.co/2B3Y75IVyC #WeAreIndigenous
— OPPA (OPP Association) (@OPPAssociation) August 9, 2021
In the first of three episodes on frontline staffing in the OPP, OPP Association Director Jason Cull joins the 10-5 The Official Podcast of the OPP Association to talk about the current staffing situation and the challenges of recruiting.
If you have any questions about this episode of the 10-5 Podcast, please email us at communications@oppa.ca
Thank you from the OPP Association to the organizers of a community BBQ on the August Civic Holiday Weekend 2021.
Sunday August 1 from 12pm-3pm an invitation was extended to OPP Association members and their families to a free community BBQ in appreciation of front line workers at the Meadowvale Conservation Area, 7250 Second Line W, Mississauga.
The organizer was a community supporter, Imran Hasan, who has supported many similar community events in the past that the OPP Association has been a part of. They had enough hamburgers and hot dogs to feed 100 people per hour and a free ice cream truck in attendance for all of the kids (and big kids!).
We appreciate the kind gesture to invite our OPP Association members, along with members of partner associations and front line workers.
Good times were had by all!
Episode Summary
In the conclusion of our conversation, Mathew Belear, a Veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces and a Provincial Constable with the OPP, talks about his experience during the 2018 Invictus Games and his current work with the Invictus Games Foundation.
Episode Notes
This episode contains coarse language and mature subject matter. Listener discretion is advised.
In the second of a two-part episode, Mathew Belear, a Veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces and a Provincial Constable with the OPP, talks about his experience during the 2018 Invictus Games and his current work with the Invictus Games Foundation.
If you wish to connect with Mathew Belear, please email communications@oppa.ca.
The Encompas Mental Health Wellness Program is available to eligible active and retired OPPA Members:
Telephone – 1-866-794-9114 (Available 24/7)
Email – info@encompascare.ca
Website – EncompasCare.ca
OPP Healthy Workplace Team – Care Navigators and Mental Health Clinicians are available 24/7 for support services, including peer support and psychological services at 1-844-644-9409.
Canadian Mental Health Association – CMHA.ca or 416-646-5557
For further information on the Invictus Games Foundation, please visit InvictusGamesFoundation.org
This episode of the 10-5 podcast is produced and hosted by Scott Mills and Joshua Jutras.
Music – “Line of Fire” by Jason Shaw available at Audionautix.com and used under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
If you have any questions about this episode of the 10-5 Podcast, please email us at communications@oppa.ca
Sisters Claire (top left) and Emma (top right) Wright are competing at the Tokyo Olympics on the Canadian Women’s Water Polo Team. They are the great nieces to retired OPP Sergeant Debbie Hele and active A/Inspector Nathan Hele, and grand daughters of now 85yr old retired OPP Provincial Constable John McGuire. Pictured (lower left) is Emma and Claire’s great aunt, Sergeant Debbie Hele and uncle A/Inspector Nathan Hele and (lower right) PC John McGuire presenting OPP badge to his sisiter-in-law Sergeant Debbie Hele in 1982.
Retired 85yr old OPP Provincial Constable John McGuire is a proud grandfather and Retired OPP Sergeant Debbie Hele and active A/Inspector Nathan Hele are proud great aunt and great uncle as sisters Emma and Claire Wright, represent Canada on the Canadian Water Polo team, Claire as the first goalie, and Emma as the co-captain, at the postponed 2020 Olympics this week in Tokyo, Japan.
John, Debbie, Nathan and all Canadians will be keeping a close eye on the results after the opening ceremonies Friday evening, July 23, 2021. The Games have been delayed a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Canadian Water Polo team face Australia in their first match on July 24.
Emma Wright began playing water polo at the young age of nine. Water Polo is definitely in the family genes. Emma’s older sister Rebecca inspired Emma’s interest in playing Water Polo in Lindsay, Ontario, followed by a stint on the Shadow Water Polo team in Toronto. According to family, Emma was too young to stay home alone, so didn’t have a choice and was “coerced” into playing!
Emma, now 24 has been playing on the Canadian National Water Polo team since she was thirteen years of age, scoring her first goal for the senior women’s team at the young age of sixteen, more than five years younger than any other player on the team.
Emma is a dynamic force in the water and being co-captain showcases her strong leadership skills. Emma being a strong lefty, which in the game of water polo is like have gold in the water. She plays all positions as a utility player and is a force to be reckoned with!
Claire Wright did not begin playing water polo until she was sixteen years old. A competitive swimmer for many years, Claire came to the realization that she could excel in water polo and became the Toronto club’s goalie.
She was a quick and determined learner and soon closed the competitive gap with her Emma, earning a spot on the Canadian Junior National Team with only two years of water polo experience.
Claire showcased her skills at the world junior championship, shutting down Team USA on a final breakaway to take the gold! Claire is representing Canada as first goalie at the Olympics, a clear indication of her commitment and determination to the sport.
All three sisters have earned full athletic scholarships in the United States. Rebecca at the University of the Pacific where she earned her Masters In Education and Curriculum Development. Claire attended at Loyola Marymount where she earned both academic and water polo honours and Emma at Berkeley where she also earns both academic and water polo accolades each year.
Following their Olympic debut, Claire and Emma will return to their hometown of Lindsay for a well deserved rest, hopefully with some Olympic medals in tow! Claire returns to Toronto to begin post grad studies at Chiropractic College and Emma plans to return to Berkeley to complete her final year, then will be off to Europe to play water polo professionally.
Read Toronto Star article on the sisters here:
Contributions by:
Sergeant Debbie Hele (retired OPP Sergeant, 2013)
Wendy Wright (McGuire)
Please click here to listen to the 10-5 Podcast on your favourite platform
In the first of a two-part episode, Mathew Belear, a Veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces and a Provincial Constable with the OPP, talks about his two tours of duty in Afghanistan.
Episode Notes
This episode contains coarse language and mature subject matter. Listener discretion is advised.
In the first of a two-part episode, Mathew Belear, a Veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces and a Provincial Constable with the OPP, talks about his two tours of duty in Afghanistan, his experience during the 2018 Invictus Games and his current work with the Invictus Games Foundation.
The Encompas Mental Health Wellness Program is available to eligible active and retired OPPA Members:
Telephone – 1-866-794-9114 (Available 24/7)
Email – info@encompascare.ca
Website – EncompasCare.ca
OPP Healthy Workplace Team – Care Navigators and Mental Health Clinicians are available 24/7 for support services, including peer support and psychological services at 1-844-644-9409.
Canadian Mental Health Association – CMHA.ca or 416-646-5557
For further information on the Invictus Games Foundation, please visit InvictusGamesFoundation.org.
If you wish to connect with Mathew Belear, or iof you have any questions about this episode of the 10-5 Podcast, please email us at communications@oppa.ca
he Healthy Workplace Team of the Ontario Provincial Police are hosting a virtual 1hr “Retired Members’ Workshop” on Zoom 10am Thurs July 22 for OPP retirees (Civilian, Uniform, Auxiliary) to learn what mental health supports are available. Check OPPA Blastout for link or email communications@oppa.ca.
Please click here or on image above to listen to the 10-5 Podcast on your favourite platform.
In the third episode of our Retirement Planning Series, OPPA Executive Officer of Pension & Benefits, Lisa Hillstrom, discusses the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) benefit and its impact on retirement planning.
Episode Notes
OPPA Executive Officer of Pension & Benefits, Lisa Hillstrom, joins the 10-5 Podcast for the 3rd episode in our Retirement Planning Series to discuss the CPP benefit and its impact on retirement planning. This includes deciding on when to begin receiving the CPP benefit, impact on pension payments if a member elects to receive the CPP benefit prior to age 65 and how to receive an estimate of how much a member’s CPP benefit will be.
Resources
The CPP chart Lisa Hillstrom referred to in this episode is posted on the Members Only section of OPPA.ca website. Click on the link for direct access when you are logged in.
For an estimate on CPP benefit amounts, please contact Service Canada through their website or contact them at 1-800-622-6232.
The Ontario Pension Board can be reached at 1-800-668-6203, clientservice@opb.ca or visit their website at OPB.ca.
If you have any questions about this episode of the 10-5 Podcast, please email us at communications@oppa.ca