Member of the OPA Disaster Response Network (DRN)
The CPA is pleased to be a member of the Ontario Psychological Association’s Disaster Response Network. Click here for more information on the OPA’s DRN.
Document Review for the Canadian Red Cross
In April and May 2012, the CPA reviewed a series of documents (instructor manuals and participant handooks) related to the provision of Psychological First Aid for the Canadian Red Cross.
CPA Survey on Individual Practitioner and Association Capacity in Emergency Preparedness
In 2008, CPA created two emergency preparedness surveys which we were able to launch in April 2009. One was directed towards the provincial/territorial associations to find out about their role in organizing and facilitating psychological emergency response. The second survey was directed to practitioners. The goal of the surveys was to find out who is doing what, what if any training needs there are to provide this kind of service, and to see if there is a need or role for the associations in organizing or facilitating service. The survey was launched via the following: CPA news, CCDP, ACPRO and CPAP in April 2009. Results from the survey were presented at CPA’s 2009 Convention in Montreal. Click here for a final report of the survey results.
National Emergency Psychosocial Advisory Consortium (NEPAC)
The group was originally brought together in 2007 by the Centre for Emergency Preparedness and Response at the Public Health Agency of Canada, as an interagency group to discuss the area of psychosocial response to emergencies. NEPAC’s mandate is to serve as a pool of expertise to advise, support, collaborate, champion and provide resources on psychosocial preparedness in an emergency or disaster to the public, communities, health professionals, administrators and decision-makers across all levels and sectors. As a voluntary consortium of stakeholders with expertise and interest in emergency psychosocial planning, NEPAC is uniquely positioned to comprehensively examine the issue from a variety of perspectives. Click here to see NEPAC’s Terms of References.
NEPAC is comprised of representatives from the federal, provincial, municipal, governments, volunteer associations, non-governmental organizations, and health associations. It is a non-registered, non-governmental, non profit voluntary society which operates at ‘arms-length’ from government. Should you wish to contact NEPAC, join the consortium, or bring a question/issue forward, please email executiveoffice@cpa.ca.
Note: On March 1, 2011, a PHAC representative informed the NEPAC members during one of its regular teleconferences that PHAC will no longer support NEPAC and its activities (e.g., teleconferences, in-person meetings, etc.); other emergency preparedness and response groups previously supported by PHAC have received the same message. PHAC will engage experts on issues or projects that will arise from time to time, but NEPAC will no longer exist as a specific group funded by PHAC.
NEPAC Survey: Given this, NEPAC’s co-Chairs invited the NEPAC members to complete a brief survey to tell us their thoughts on NEPAC’s future. Survey results were shared with the NEPAC membership and PHAC. Despite PHAC’s discontinued support, NEPAC members opted to remain a consortium via email. Click here to view the results.
Public Health Agency of Canada H1N1 Teleconference Updates
CPA participates in teleconferences arranged by the Public Health Agency of Canada to provide updates on the status, treatment and government response to H1N1. CPA speaks to the need for consideration of psychosocial planning and potential impacts of H1N1 on Canadians’ mental health. For up-to-date information on H1N1, visit the PHAC website: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/index-eng.php.
Attendance at National Forums
Attendance at the Public Health Agency of Canada’s (PHAC’s) annual national forums on emergency preparedness and response.
Advisory Committee Member
Advisory committee member in the development of a psychosocial annex to Canada’s pandemic response plan.
Council of Emergency Voluntary Sector Directors (CEVSD)
The Council of Emergency Voluntary Sector Directors provides leadership, advice, support, guidance, and formulates recommendations to ensure efficiency, effectiveness, and consistency in the provision of emergency health and emergency social services within Canada. CEVSD is exploring the linkages it can develop with other emergency response sectors. One of the key objectives for the group is to highlight the need for and ways to sustain emergency response among the voluntary sector. CPA will work with other members of the Council to highlight the need for psychosocial planning, particularly the role of psychologists as both mental health professionals and individuals interested in being a volunteer.
Note: In March 2011, a PHAC representative informed the CEVSD members that PHAC will no longer support CEVSD and its activities (e.g., teleconferences, in-person meetings, etc.); other emergency preparedness and response groups previously supported by PHAC have received the same message. PHAC will engage experts on issues or projects that will arise from time to time, but CEVSD will no longer exist as a specific group funded by PHAC.
Mental Health Support Network
CPA is a member of the Mental Health Support Network, a network of professional and voluntary associations concerned about mental health and the stress arising from extreme stressors.