CAST Canada helps professionals and corporations better understand addictions, mental health and trauma through the coordination of workshops, trainings and keynote speaking throughout Ontario and across Canada.  CAST is an acronym which stands for Come And Sit Together.

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Upcoming WORKSHOPS and EVENTS
for General Helping Professionals

Trauma and the Helping Professional
– A Transformational Summer Retreat

A very special workshop*
How can gathering a deep, intuitive understanding and acceptance of the effect of trauma in your client, you and your workplace help you be more comfortable and effective in all areas of your work and life?

August 19th, 2010,
Lakefield ( Near Peterborough) , Ontario.
$140 + HST = $158.20
*Participation limited to 18 people.

click here for details and registration

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“Tomorrow Does Not Exist”

One day Workshop –
What is the ‘Organic Origin” of the CAST Canada Practical Tools?
August, 27th, , Peterborough Details TBA
Hamilton, ON
$140 + HST = $158.20 – Includes lunch, parking and handouts

click here for details and registration

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Regehr Speaks via Televideo To Muskoka and North Simcoe

Tom Regehr and Dr. David Goldbloom of  the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health address 16 remote sites via televideo. The topic was stigma in the workplace.

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Consumer Panel in Barrie Well Received

February 19, 2010 – Barrie, Ontario

“… beyond my expectations! “
and
“Very effective way of presenting and approaching the issues , very powerful! ”

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Trauma & Addiction Consumer Panel Barrie,  February 19th, 2010

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A panel

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Regehr Holds Front-line Worker Consultations for Ministry of Health Process

January/February 2010 – Alliston, Ontario

The Ontario Ministry of Health has embarked on a 10 year strategy around addictions and mental health.  Regehr sits on the Ministers Advisory Group for the strategy and noticed that though there were 15 consultations planned with various groups such as provincial organizations, seniors and primary care, there was no voice for the real experts, front-line workers ( FLW’s).

After some floundering, not asking the right people the right way, Regehr was able to arrange a consult – and not just one meeting. Two full days of consultations with FLW’s from across Ontario and representing 11 relevant ministries were held. The final report was presented to Deb Mathews, the minister of Health in mid February. Mathews accepted the comments with enthusiasm, saying that in her experience working on the poverty strategy that front-line workers and consumers often have great ideas.

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Regehr and CAST Canada Consumers meet with Ontario Attorney General

November 25th, 1999.  Toronto

Chris Bentley, Ontario’s Attorney General invited Tom Regehr to bring in a few CAST Canada volunteers – all people with trauma, addictions and mental issues themselves – for a consultation around their personal experience.  Some people from the Schizophrenia Society attended as well. Mr. Bentley is interested in improving the experience and outcomes of people with addictions, mental health and trauma issues when they interact with the criminal justice system.

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Tom Regehr and Chris Bentley

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A few themes dominated the advice from the volunteers.  One theme was how the role of trauma, loss and unresolved grief plays a huge role in the lives of those struggling with these issues.

Tom Regehr,
“(Mr. Bentley )  seemed to really get the idea that trauma and loss are constant factors whereas the drinking and drugging is a way to cope, not a core issue.”

Says Sean Winger, a consumer volunteer with CAST Canada, “I think it was really positive”

The volunteers from the Schizophrenia society brought valuable experience about moving from police custody to a hospital in a crisis situation as well as difficulties in waiting for court.

Also in the room was Kurt Flanigan, who Mr. Bentley called “The man charged with making change”

Vani Jain of the Schizophrenia Society of Ontario,
“We sincerely appreciate the work that Minister Bentley is doing to learn more about these issues from the people who deal with them firsthand.  As a participant I feel like my voice is really being heard”.

Tom Regehr,
“Minister Bentley and his staff did an excellent job of listening. They showed a sincere wish to understand and real concern for our suffering.”

Back Row:
Maura Jette,  Ministry of the Attorney General
Chris Bentley,   Attorney General
Curt Flanigan,  Ministry of the Attorney General
Tom Regehr ,  Founder/President CAST Canada ( and consumer )
Sean Winger,  CAST Canada consumer volunteer
Murray Jupe,   CAST Canada volunteer
Vani Jain, the Schizophrenia Society of Ontario.

Front Row:
Tim McConnel,  CAST Canada consumer volunteer
Laura Maxwell,  CAST Canada consumer volunteer
Tracey Ferguson,  CAST Canada consumer volunetter
Sheila,  family member
and Alexander, consumer