About this Event
*THIS EVENT HAS BOTH IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL ATTENDANCE OPTIONS*
Welcome to The Student Based Mental Health & Education Conference: Digital Wellness & AI, Trauma, Anxiety, ADHD & Resilience in a Changing World.
On behalf of Jack Hirose & Associates, welcome and thank you for joining us in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. We are delighted to bring together educators, school counsellors, psychologists, administrators, therapists, and helping professionals from across Canada for three days of practical, evidence-informed learning.
Throughout the conference, you will gain practical, research-informed strategies to support the mental health, resilience, and success of children and youth. Through sessions led by leading experts, participants will explore topics including emotional regulation, trauma-informed practice, Indigenous perspectives, neurodiversity, and evidence-based approaches for supporting students facing today’s increasingly complex challenges.
We hope you enjoy both the conference and your time in Saskatoon, and leave feeling inspired, connected, and equipped with new ideas to support the children, youth, families, and communities you serve.
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Education and Clinical Professionals: All education and mental health or healthcare professionals who work with children or youth including, but not limited to K–12 Classroom Teachers, School Counsellors, Learning Assistance/Resource Teachers, School Administrators, School Paraprofessionals including Special Education Assistants, Classroom Assistants and Childcare Workers • All other professionals who support behavioural challenges and complex learning needs including but not limited to: Nurses, Social Workers, Psychologists, Clinical Counsellors, Family Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists, Addiction Counsellors, Youth Workers, Mental Health Workers, Probation Officers and Community Police Officers.
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Day One – November 18, 2026
Navigating the Digital Future: AI, Wellbeing, and Human Connection
Presented by DCP, CCC, CCS
8:30am - 4:00pm November 18, 2026
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION
Artificial intelligence, social media, smartphones, and other digital technologies are transforming how people learn, communicate, work, form relationships, and seek support. For educators, clinicians, therapists, and allied health professionals, these changes present both exciting opportunities and complex challenges. Understanding how to respond effectively has become an essential professional competency.
This workshop explores the intersection of artificial intelligence, digital wellness, education, and mental health. Drawing on current research, real-world examples, and hands-on demonstrations, participants will examine how emerging technologies are reshaping learning, wellbeing, communication, and professional practice across educational and clinical settings.
Participants will explore practical applications of AI that can enhance accessibility, support individualized learning and intervention, streamline administrative tasks, and foster creativity and engagement. At the same time, the workshop will examine the broader impacts of technology on mental health and human development, including concerns related to attention, anxiety, social comparison, sleep, emotional regulation, online relationships, and digital dependency.
The workshop will also address emerging issues that are increasingly relevant to educators and clinicians, including AI companionship, changing help-seeking behaviours, academic integrity in the age of generative AI, privacy and data security, and the ethical implications of integrating AI into educational and therapeutic environments. Participants will critically examine both the promises and limitations of these technologies while considering how to maintain professional judgment, ethical practice, and meaningful human connection.
Rather than framing technology as something to embrace uncritically or resist entirely, this workshop encourages a balanced and thoughtful approach. Participants will explore strategies for helping children, adolescents, and adults engage with digital technologies in healthy, purposeful, and responsible ways while leveraging the benefits these tools can offer.
Through case studies, discussion, and practical applications, attendees will leave with concrete strategies, useful resources, and a deeper understanding of how AI and digital technologies are shaping the future of education, mental health, and human connection.
Day Two – November 19, 2026
Complex Kids, Simple Solutions: Tips for Managing Dysregulated Students
Presented by Ph.D., C. Psych.
8:30am - 4:00pm November 19, 2026
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION
Students with chronic self-regulation difficulties are some of the most complicated, challenging, and rewarding to work with. Complex Kids, Simple Solutions is an evidence-based framework that is guided by developmental psychology and the science of learning. It is not easy. But it is simple. And it’s based on three fundamental ideas: Prepare, Teach, and Motivate.
Whether the student has a diagnosis of ADHD, ASD, DMDD, ODD, or is just giving teachers a good run for their money, there are solutions. This workshop will explain how three fundamental ideas apply to almost any situation teachers may encounter, from the mundane to the meltdown, and how they are especially useful when working with dysregulated kids.
The first fundamental is to Prepare. Prepare yourself and prepare your student. Plan ahead and be strategic. Pick the right battles upfront. Set the stage for success. One of the single best proactive strategies available to teachers is to spend Quality Time building and maintaining a strong connection with their student.
The second fundamental is to directly Teach students the skills they are lacking. Shifting away from a ‘bad behaviour’ paradigm, this approach refocuses teachers to understand misbehaviour in terms of missing skills. Many challenges arise because a child does not have a specific skill, be it co-operation, accepting being told no, or waiting their turn.
Finally, the third fundamental is to Motivate. Motivation can be used to improve skills such as using manners, remaining in their seat, and co-operating with requests. It can also be used to decrease unwanted behaviours such as tantrums and defiance. Spoiler alert: this approach promotes the use of rewards over punishments to motivate children.
Day Three – November 20, 2026
The ADHD Toolkit: Strategies for Learning, Behaviour and Self-Regulation at Home, School, and Beyond
Presented by M.A.
8:30am - 4:00pm November 20, 2026
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION
This engaging and practical workshop provides educators, clinicians, and caregivers with a deeper understanding of ADHD and the tools needed to support children and youth effectively. Participants will examine the neuroscience of ADHD, executive functioning, motivation, and emotional regulation before exploring practical strategies that promote success in classrooms, homes, and therapeutic settings.
Designed to bridge research and practice, participants will leave with an extensive toolkit of realistic, evidence-informed strategies that can be applied immediately to improve attention, organization, behaviour, engagement, and independence.
Day One
🕑: 08:30 AM - 04:00 PM
Navigating the Digital Future: AI, Wellbeing, and Human Connection
Host: Lisa Porter, DCP, CCC, CCS
Info: Artificial intelligence, social media, smartphones, and digital technologies are transforming how people learn, communicate, work, form relationships, and seek support. This workshop explores the intersection of AI, digital wellness, education, and mental health, helping educators, clinicians, therapists, and allied health professionals navigate both the opportunities and challenges of an increasingly digital world.
Drawing on current research, real-world examples, and practical demonstrations, participants will explore AI applications that enhance accessibility, individualized learning and intervention, efficiency, creativity, and engagement. The workshop will also examine impacts on attention, anxiety, sleep, emotional regulation, social connection, and digital dependency.
Emerging issues including AI companionship, academic integrity, privacy, data security, and ethical practice will be explored.
Learning Objectives
Info: Describe how artificial intelligence and digital technologies are transforming education, mental health, communication, and professional practice.
Identify practical opportunities to use AI and digital technologies to enhance accessibility, learning, intervention, and service delivery.
Evaluate the impact of digital technologies on wellbeing, human development, and interpersonal relationships.
Analyze ethical, relational, and professional issues associated with integrating AI into educational and clinical environments.
Develop balanced, evidence-informed approaches for incorporating AI and digital technologies into professional practice while promoting wellbeing and preserving meaningful human connection.
Day Three
🕑: 08:30 AM - 04:00 PM
The ADHD Toolkit: Strategies for Learning, Behaviour and Self-Regulation
Host: Tracy Whittaker-Taggart, M.A.
Info: This engaging and practical workshop provides educators, clinicians, and caregivers with a deeper understanding of ADHD and the tools needed to support children and youth effectively. Participants will examine the neuroscience of ADHD, executive functioning, motivation, and emotional regulation before exploring practical strategies tha
This workshop explores the developmental and relational roots of disconnection and why some children resist closeness, struggle to trust, or defend against care. Grounded in developmental science and attachment theory, participants will examine how alarm and attachment dynamics influence behaviour, learning, and emotional well-being.
Participants will learn practical strategies to reduce alarm, work with rather than against defenses, build trust and connection, and create conditions that support growth, learning, and emotional healing. Real-life examples, reflection, and case applications will help participants translate theory into meaningful practice.
Learning Objectives
Info: Explain the neurological foundations of ADHD, including the role of dopamine, executive functioning, and self-regulation.
Describe how ADHD affects attention, motivation, organization, emotional regulation, and the ability to consistently apply learned skills.
Identify common myths and misconceptions about ADHD and replace them with current evidence-informed understanding.
Apply practical strategies that educators, mental health professionals, and caregivers can use to support children and youth with ADHD.
Implement evidence-informed approaches that improve engagement, organization, task completion, emotional regulation, and independence across home and school settings.
Recognize how executive functioning differences influence learning, behaviour, and daily functioning, and adapt supports accordingly.
Agenda
Info: Welcome, introductions, overview, and learning objectives
Understanding ADHD: Neurobiology, executive functioning, dopamine, and common myths
Morning Break
ADHD and its impact on learning, behaviour, motivation, emotional regulation, and developmental maturity
Lunch
Building the ADHD Toolkit: Evidence-informed strategies for home, school, and clinical practice
Afternoon Break
Applying practical strategies through case examples, problem-solving, and discussion
Questions, key takeaways, knowledge check, and wrap-up
Event venue & nearby stays
Park Town Hotel, 924 Spadina Crescent East, Saskatoon, Canada
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.