Minding Our Minds Conference on Mental Health in Higher Education
The Office of the Dean of Students at Victoria University in the University of Toronto is pleased to announce our 12th annual Minding our Minds conference and discussion about mental health in higher education.
Minding Our Minds 2024: Screen Time and Mental Health
The Office of the Dean of Students at Victoria University is pleased to invite you to our annual Minding Our Minds Conference happening on Friday, Oct. 18 at Victoria University.
The Minding Our Minds Conference, in its 12th year, assembles a diverse group of stakeholders to discuss timely issues in student mental health on campus. Students, administrators, faculty, healthcare workers, student affairs leaders, psychologists, residence dons, and many more come together to discuss and learn about some of the most pressing issues facing the university sector regarding mental health. Our theme this year is “Screen Time and Mental Health"
When: Friday, Oct. 18, 2024
Where: Alumni Hall, Victoria University
Conference program
9–9:30 a.m. – Registration and light breakfast
Foyer, Victoria College Building
9:30–10 a.m. – Welcome and land acknowledgement
Alumni Hall, Victoria College Building
- Kelley Castle, Dean of Students, Victoria University
10–11 a.m. – Opening keynote: “Digital Media and Youth: The Good, The Bad and The TikTok”
Alumni Hall, Victoria College Building
- Elia Abi-Jaoude, Medical Director, Ambulatory Psychiatry program, The Hospital for Sick Children and Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto
11–11:15 a.m. – Refreshment break
Foyer, Victoria College Building
11:15 a.m.–12:30 p.m. – Practitioners and researchers panel: “Interdisciplinary Panel Discussion on Screen Time: Challenges, Connections, Isolations, Addictions, and Accessibility"
Alumni Hall, Victoria College Building
- Dr. Rhonda McEwen, President and Vice-Chancellor, Victoria University
- Prof. Ira Wells, Academic Programs Director, Victoria College
- Dr. Elia Abi-Jaoude, Medical Director, Ambulatory Psychiatry program, The Hospital for Sick Children and Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto
- Janine Robb, Executive Director, Health & Wellness, University of Toronto (moderator)
12:30–1:30 p.m. – Lunch break
Foyer, Victoria College Building
1:30–2:45 p.m. – Student voices panel: Perspectives on the Screen Scene
Alumni Hall, Victoria College Building
- Andrea Perez, 3rd year student, Victoria College
- Armiti Zarbakhsh, 3rd year student, Victoria College
- Mridula Sathyanarayanan, 3rd year student, Victoria College
- Joseph Hill, 2nd year Master of Teaching student, OISE
- Sean Martin, Associate Dean, Wellness & Community Engagement, Victoria University (moderator)
2:45–3 p.m. – Refreshment break
Foyer, Victoria College Building
3–4:15 p.m. – Workshop: The Neurological Paradox of Screen Time - You Can't Be Calm in a Traffic Jam
- Izzy Justice, Chief Neuroscience Officer at Neuro580.com
4:15–4:30 p.m. – Closing remarks
Alumni Hall, Victoria College Building
Campus (Re)Conciliations: Indigenous Issues in Higher Education Conference
Created in 2017, the Campus (Re)conciliations annual conference invites participants to reflect on the role of the University in responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 Calls to Action and provides a space to listen to Indigenous leaders, community members, and students speak about their research, reflections, and experiences.
Past speakers included Margaret Froh, Kimberly Murray, Hayden King, Phyllis Webstad, Mike DeGagne, Kevin Lamoureux, Jesse Wente, Lisa Richardson, John Borrows, Lee Maracle, James Makokis and Anthony Johnson.
Each year, the conference features a mix of keynote speakers, engaging panel and armchair discussions, and interactive student-led workshops. This event is always free and open to all, so please encourage your students, colleagues, and friends to attend.
If you have any questions, please contact the Ideas for the World Coordinator, Elena, at vic.ideas@utoronto.ca.
Ninth Campus (Re)Conciliations: Indigenous Issues in Higher Education Conference
March 20, 2025
8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Save the date for the Ninth Annual Campus (Re)Conciliations: Indigenous Issues in Higher Education Conference.
Where: Alumni Hall, Victoria College Building