New African Canadians to Host the Global Mental Well-being and Substance (Mis)Use Conference in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island – The New African Canadians (NAC), in collaboration with various esteemed partners, is set to host the highly anticipated Global Mental Well-being and Substance (Mis)Use Conference, known as GMWS 2024 PEI, from August 1-4, 2024. The event will take place at the University of Prince Edward Island in Charlottetown, PE.

Conference Theme: Embracing Wellness: Balancing Minds

The theme for GMWS 2024, “Embracing Wellness: Balancing Minds,” underscores the crucial relationship between mental health and overall well-being, especially in the wake of the C-19 pandemic. The conference aims to provide a platform for comprehensive discussions and exploration of innovative strategies in mental health equity, wellness, substance (mis)use prevention, and harm reduction.

The event will draw a diverse array of participants including community members, mental health professionals, substance misuse experts, individuals with lived experiences, researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders from around the world. Attendees will engage in a collaborative exchange of ideas focused on enhancing mental well-being and tackling substance misuse, with a particular focus on the challenges posed by pandemics.

Key Topics Include:

• Innovative Approaches to Mental Health & Substance Misuse Prevention and Treatment
• Housing, Immigration, and Mental Health
• Holistic Approaches to Improving Mental Wellness
• Inclusive Education Approaches for Mental Health
• Mental Health & HIV Stigma Reduction and Awareness Campaigns

Confirmed Guests and Speakers:

• Her Honour The Honourable Joan Marie-Aylward, Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland & Labrador
• Premier Dennis King (represented by Hon. Mark McLane, Minister of Health & Wellness)
• Mayor Philip Brown, City of Charlottetown
• Hon. Sean Casey, MP Charlottetown
• Hon. Natalie Jameson, Minister of Education & Early Learning and Status of Women
• Gord McNeilly, MLA, Charlottetown – West Royalty
• Karla Bernard, MLA, Charlottetown – Victoria Park & Office of the Third Party
• Dr. Alexander (Sandy) MacDonald, President & CEO-Holland College, Charlottetown
• Dr. Heather Morrison, Chief Public Health Officer, Government of PEI
• Karen Cumberland, VP Strategic Initiatives & Community Outreach, Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction
• Nosakhare Alex Ihama, Keynote Speaker and Executive Director of the Canadian Congress on Inclusive Diversity and Workplace Equity and School of Greatness
• Representatives from various community organizations

Henry Luyombya, Executive Director of New African Canadians (NAC) and Co-Chair of the Conference Organizing Committee, expressed enthusiasm about the event: “We are excited to host GMWS 2024 and believe it will offer a unique opportunity for stakeholders to engage and share knowledge on promoting mental health and well-being using culturally appropriate tools, tips, and techniques.”

Gloria Akullu, President of the NAC Board, emphasized the importance of inclusion: “We are committed to ensuring that marginalized communities, such as African Canadians, newly-arrived individuals, immigrants, international students, refugees, and former refugees, are adequately represented in these conversations, and their voices are heard.”

Keynote speaker Nosakhare Alex Ihama highlighted the broader implications of mental health: “Poor mental health can lead to significant human suffering, productivity loss, social isolation, and risky behaviors. The issues are complex and widespread, affecting diverse regions and populations globally. Addressing mental health disparities requires a multi-faceted approach that includes service delivery, organizational, policy, and planning actions.”

Conference Highlights:

GMWS 2024 promises to be an enriching event with over 30 distinguished speakers and delegates from sectors including business, government, public health, education, housing, addictions, legal/immigration, staffing, queer health, harm reduction, and finance. Participants will benefit from a wealth of expertise and networking opportunities.

Registration and Information:

Don’t miss this opportunity to engage, learn, and connect with experts from around the world. Register now to be part of the change at Eventbrite GMWS 2024 Registration. For updates and additional information, please visit www.globalmws.org.

About New African Canadians (NAC):

New African Canadians (NAC) is a federally registered not-for-profit organization with regional offices in Ontario, Alberta, Quebec, and Prince Edward Island. Founded in 2018 and incorporated in November 2020, NAC is dedicated to promoting mental health and well-being among newly-arrived individuals and communities. The organization supports individuals and communities through successful immigration and settlement processes, emphasizing mental health, education, and social integration.

Media Inquiries:

Henry Luyombya
Chief Visionary Officer
New African Canadians (NAC)
Phone: 416-854-8935 | 902-916-1154
Email: [email protected] / [email protected]