Workshops: Patient & Community Voices
We held two in-person and one virtual Patient & Community Voices workshops in recent months.
Stereotypes, Truth & Moving Toward Reconciliation in Health Care (Virtual)
In February, students learned directly from Tseqalmit – John Jones (Snaw-Naw-as First Nation), a husband, father, grandfather, Traditional Helper and a survivor of the Indian Residential School system, and Stephanie Holmes (Tl’azt’en Nation, Lhts’umusyoo/Beaver Clan), a community educator and intergenerational survivor.
“The generational trauma is more present than ever today, and I truly believe my program would benefit from more exposure to personal stories and survivor testimonies as they truly touch your soul,” said one student.
Building Safer Spaces: A Workshop on Gender-Affirming Care *NEW*
March marked the return of a much-needed workshop—one that has evolved significantly since it was last held in 2019. Formerly known as Trans 101, the refreshed session, Building Safer Spaces: Healthcare for Trans and Gender-Diverse People, invited health professional students to deepen their understanding of how to provide inclusive, respectful, and affirming care to trans and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals.
A small working group came together to shape the new workshop, including Dr. Hannah Kia (Associate Professor, School of Social Work), community partner Kim Laforest (Thrive Programs Manager, Family Services of the North Shore), students from Occupational Therapy, Medicine, and Pharmacy, and Mandy Young (Parent and Community Engagement Coordinator).
In partnership with Family Services of the North Shore, the session brought together three TGD Educators and two parents – a mother and step-father team to share their deeply personal stories. Students participated in small-group sessions to allow time for meaningful dialogue and reflection. These conversations offered an honest and powerful window into the lived experiences of TGD people navigating healthcare—what good care looks like, and what harmful interactions can teach us.
Compassionate Care in Serious Mental Health *NEW*
In partnership with the BC Schizophrenia Society and Foundry Prince George, we delivered a workshop exploring compassionate, person and family-centered care for individuals living with serious mental health conditions. It was the first-ever in-person PCV workshop for students at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) and coincided with a planned site-visit from community engagement coordinator, Mandy Young (see next story).
The panel engaged students in rich conversations that unpacked the emotional and practical realities of accessing care, navigating the BC Mental Health Act, and seeking recovery in a system often stretched for resources. Final thoughts from the panel underscored the workshop’s key message: that families are not outsiders, but essential partners in mental health care.
Remaining 2024-25 Workshops
Empathy & Compassion in Mental Health Care – May 29, 6-8pm
Addressing Complex Chronic Care Needs – TBD