Training Information for Caregivers and Professionals

“(We) can fight mental health stigma…. by educating ourselves about mental health diagnosis and the resources in our community, understanding our own attitudes about mental health, and supporting people in our lives who may be struggling”

Fostering Emotion Regulation

  • This workshop aims to provide practical information to caregivers and professionals about the importance of self-regulation in both ourselves and the children we are supporting, as well as focussing on concrete strategies to enhance children’s development of self-regulation skills.
  • One-day online workshop available March 19 from 9am-4:30 pm.
  • Event will be live-streamed but also recorded and available for 30 days after the live event airs.

Website: Institute of Child Psychology

Brain Story Certification 

  • Training that provides a deeper understanding of brain development and its consequences for lifelong health 
  • Self-paced course that involves 19 modules 

Website: Alberta Family Wellness Initiative 

FASD Course (Behavioral Health Springboard) 

  • Self-paced course that takes 3.5 hours to complete 
  • Covers many topics surrounding FASD including terminology, diagnostic criteria, the effects of alcohol on a developing fetus, and a parent’s experience 

Website: Behavioral Health Springboard

Foundations in FASD (CanFASD) 

  • This is a Level 1 FASD training course that provides a certificate upon completion 
  • CanFASD also offers further specialization courses once Foundations in FASD is completed 
  • Foundations in FASD covers FASD assessment and diagnosis, the impact of alcohol on brain development, issues related to stigma and FASD, and the signs and symptoms of FASD across the lifespan 

Website: CanFASD Canada FASD Research Network

Understanding Autism (OpenLearn) 

  • Introductory course that covers the foundations of the autism spectrum including identifying and diagnosing autism, explaining autism, family life, and adulthood 
  • Takes around 24 hours to complete 

Website: The Open University

Understanding ADHD (OpenLearn) 

  • Course that covers understanding life with ADHD and the neurobiology and management of ADHD 
  • Takes around 12 hours to complete 

Website: The Open University 

Exploring Anxiety (OpenLearn) 

  • Advanced course on anxiety that covers misconceptions about mental ill health, mental health research in the news, diagnosis, symptoms and behaviours, and treatment 
  • Takes around 9 hours to complete 

Website: The Open University  

Exploring Depression (OpenLearn) 

  • Advanced course on depression that covers the experience of depression, diagnosis, theoretical models, biological explanations, and treatments 
  • Takes around 7 hours to complete 

Website: The Open University 

Autism Training Modules (Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders) 

  • They offer five free autism modules that cover understanding autism in young children, screening and referral, evidence-based practice and interventions, transition to adulthood, and family-professional partnerships 

Website: Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment Disorders

Young People and Their Mental Health (Future Learn) 

  • Covers introductory mental health information including common mental health problems, causes of mental health problem, and what young people should do when they experience mental health problems 
  • Covers many different mental health problems including eating disorders, addiction, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and antisocial behaviour 
  • Course designed to teenagers and young adults, but can also be of interest to caregivers and professionals 
  • Course takes around 10 hours to complete  

Website: Future Learn

Childhood Adversity: The Impact of Childhood Maltreatment on Mental Health (Future Learn) 

  • Course explores how early adverse experiences can impact a young person’s mental health and looks at childhood adversity through the eyes of clinicians, neuroscientists, and educators 
  • Course takes around 9 hours to complete 

Website: Future Learn

Understanding Depression and Low Mood in Young People (Future Learn) 

  • This course introduces the topic of adolescent depression and explains the impact of lifestyle and also touches on how to address behaviour and thinking patterns in adolescent depression 
  • Course takes around 15 hours to complete 

Website: Future Learn 

The Trauma Toolbox (Ron Huxley) 

  • Course on trauma that covers many different topics including trauma and the brain, the road to resilience, neuro/emotional regulation skills, and resources for trauma from home, school, and the community  

Website: The Trauma Toolbox  

Adolescent Trauma and Substance Abuse (The National Child Traumatic Stress Network) 

  • Course provides information on the complex intersections between psychological trauma and co-occurring substance abuse and dependency in adolescents  

Website: The National Child Traumatic Stress Network  

Teaching Students Who Have Suffered Complex Trauma (Future Learn) 

  • Course covers many topics including attachment and trauma theories, the importance of applying trauma-informed practice in schools, and strategies to minimize the risk to students 
  • Course takes around 2 hours to complete 

Website: Future Learn  

Attachment in the Early Years (OpenLearn)  

  • Course introduces attachment theory and provides information about the significance of early attachments between caregivers and young children 
  • Course takes around 6 hours to complete 

Website: The Open University   

Indigenous Canada (Coursera; University of Alberta) 

  • Course that explores Indigenous histories and contemporary issues in Canada 
  • Course takes around 21 hours to complete 

Website: Coursera 

Aboriginal Worldviews and Education (Coursera; University of Toronto) 

  • Course covers many topics including historical, social, and political issues in Aboriginal education; terminology; cultural, spiritual and philosophical themes in Aboriginal worldviews; and how Aboriginal worldviews can inform professional programs and practices, including but not limited to the field of education 
  • Course takes around 14 hours to complete 

Website: Coursera 

The Social Context of Mental Health and Illness (Coursera; University of Toronto) 

  • Course provides information on how social factors promote mental health, influence the onset and course of mental illness, and affect how mental illnesses are diagnosed and treated 
  • Course takes around 14 hours to complete 

Website: Coursera  

Managing ADHD, Autism, Learning Disabilities, and Concussion in School (Coursera; University of Colorado) 

  • Course focuses on how schools can support children by recognizing common symptoms and understanding the diagnosis process 
  • Course takes around 9 hours to complete 

Website:   Coursera

Attachment Vitamins (The National Child Traumatic Stress Network) 

  • Course covers what attachment is, temperament and parenting style, trauma exposure in young children, mental health concerns, cultural concerns, and self-care tips 

Website: The National Child Traumatic Stress Network

Childhood Adversity: The Impact of Childhood Maltreatment on Mental Health (Future Learn) 

  • Course explores how early adverse experiences can impact a young person’s mental health and looks at childhood adversity through the eyes of clinicians, neuroscientists, and educators 
  • Course takes around 9 hours to complete 

Website: Future Learn

Foundations of Mindfulness (Coursera; Rice University) 

  • Course provides an overview of the fundamental concepts, principles, and practices of mindfulness 
  • Course takes around 16 hours to complete 

Website: Coursera  

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