Mental health will be the focus of a conference for CAW members.
A national conference is being held this weekend at the CAW Family Education Centre in Port Elgin.
National Health and Safety Director Sari Sairanen says they hold it every second year, and this year’s theme deals with mental health.
Sairanen says it’s been an emerging workplace hazard especially since the economic downturn, as it has affected the livelihood of so many.
Sairanen says they are bringing in a few guest speakers for the weekend, and tonight will feature Margaret Trudeau, wife of former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau.
Sairanen says Trudeau has become a spokesperson over the last few years for mental health issues after being diagnosed herself, and the CAW is very happy to have her kick off the conference.
Sairanen says they’ll also have workshops, or “knowledge cafes” over the weekend.
She says they’ll deal with a variety of topics, such as tools to deal with mental health issues in the workplace, and what are some of the best practices we can develop in the workplace.
United Way is also coming to speak as a resource found in the community to help with mental health.
The conference starts tonight at 7 PM and continues to Sunday.