Laurier expert alert: World Mental Health Day

Oct. 9, 2019
For Immediate Release

Waterloo – World Mental Health Day is held annually on Oct. 10 to raise awareness about mental health and mobilize efforts in support of mental health.

Wilfrid Laurier University has experts available to speak about topics related to mental health.

Bree Akesson is an associate professor of social work, associate director of the Centre for Research on Security Practices and a research associate with the International Migration Research Centre. She is an expert on the mental health of war-affected children and families. Akesson is available to comment on refugee families in a variety of international contexts, including Afghanistan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Uganda. Contact: bakesson@wlu.ca or 519.761.8022. Read more about her work.

Jennifer Lavoie, associate professor in Laurier’s Department of Criminology, is an expert on mental health, policing, de-escalation, violence and victimization. Her current research explores how police officers and mobile crisis teams respond to mental health crises in the community. Contact: 519.756.8228 x5366 or jlavoie@wlu.ca. Read about Lavoie’s work helping police respond to people with mental health issues.

Danielle Law, associate professor in Laurier’s Youth and Children’s Studies and Psychology programs, is an expert on cyberbullying, associated mental health concerns and responsible Internet use. Law’s research examines how children and adolescents develop cognitively and socio-emotionally as they interact and socialize using technologies. Contact: dlaw@wlu.ca. Read more about her research.

Renee MacPhee, associate professor in Laurier’s Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, is an expert on the health and well-being of paramedics, with a focus on occupational injury and mental health. She is associate scientific director and a researcher with the Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment, which brings together researchers and stakeholders to improve the health of Canada’s public safety personnel.

Amy Milne-Smith, associate professor in Laurier’s Department of History, is an expert on the history of mental health, particularly in Victorian Britain and Europe. Milne-Smith is available to comment on the history of stigmas about mental health, the rise and fall of the asylum, mental health and crime, as well as the evolution of diagnostics and military mental trauma. Contact: amilnesmith@wlu.ca.

Michael Woodford, an associate professor in Laurier’s Faculty of Social Work, is an expert on the mental health and well-being of LGBTQ2S+ youth. Woodford’s research explores how discrimination can increase LGBTQ2S+ youth's risk for poor mental health and other negative outcomes, as well as the factors that can foster resilience to discrimination. Woodford is leading the Thriving on Campus Study, a province-wide survey exploring the experiences, mental health and academic success of LGBTQ2S+ university students in Ontario. Contact: 519.998.4514 or mwoodford@wlu.ca.

Maritt Kirst is an assistant professor in the Community Psychology program and an assistant professor (status-only) at the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto. She is an expert on mental health, addictions and homelessness, with a particular interest in making community-based health care and social services more accessible to vulnerable populations. Contact: mkirst@wlu.ca or 519.884.0710 x3077.

Amy Clements-Cortes, an instructor in Laurier’s Music Therapy program, is a registered psychotherapist and music therapist. She is an expert on music therapy and creative arts therapies for mental health, singing for health and wellness, mental health and older adults, dementia and depression, as well as depression in long-term care homes. Contact: 519.897.3613 (cell) or notesbyamy2@yahoo.ca.