CONGRESS THEMES

Discover key thematic streams at the WAPR Congress/Canadian PSR Recovery Conference 2025, including best practices in rehabilitation, human rights, lived experiences in mental health service transformation, and advancements in technology and ethics.

1. Best Practices and Innovations:
   Implications for Diversity, Inclusion, Equity: Evidence Based Practices in Rehabilitation & Recovery ( e.g. peer led, development of cognitive skills etc. etc.); Research methodology innovations.; Policy makers and documents – what is occurring across the world? Rehabilitation with limited resources; Integration in an array of mental health services.
   Specific issues: Dementia and cognitive disorders; Early psychosis; Intellectual disability; Schizophrenia and bipolar disorders Child & adolescent mental health; Psychosocial rehab with physical disability.
   Community mental health: Homelessness and marginalization; De-institutionalization or trans institutionalism; Professionals’ role and knowledge in citizen-based services & communities 
2. Human Rights, Citizenship and Recovery; Attitude, stigma and reintegration Global mental health initiatives: Globalization and acculturation: Inclusion, Equity: Implications for Diversity, Inclusion, Equity; Changing socio-political trends and implications for Human rights and Mental health; Human rights & QR e-learning; Mental Health of immigrants and refugees; Voluntary agencies and NGOs in rehabilitation;  Disaster and mental health: Torture and terrorism, Media and mental health, Migration and displacement; Changing socio-political trends and implications for rights; Mental health issues and climate change; Contemporary issues (e.g., climate change, natural disasters, post-COVID)   
3. Lived experiences as a basis for mental health service transformation; Co Creation and co production; Recovery colleges; User run services; Peer support work; Family support and family knowledge; The needs of children of people experiencing mental health; Lived experience; Integrating Peer Providers vs Peer Support vs Peer led: Care givers; Power- counterpower – powerlessness
4. Implementing Rehabilitation and Recovery Oriented Practices Integrating Peer Providers vs Peer Support vs Peer led; Integration in an array of mental health services; Co-production initiatives; Deinstitutionalization; Forensic issues; Gender and Mental Health: Mental Health of immigrants and refugees: Care givers.; Recovery oriented approach – using the tools of PSR in community institutions like fountain-house, halfway homes, hostels. Rehabilitation services; Integration across disciplines; Implementing Rehabilitation and Recovery Oriented Practices; Housing First  
5. Ethical and Legal Considerations, Technology and Rehabilitation & Recovery  ; Artificial Intelligence in mental health; PSR Recovery-oriented code of ethics, Mental health, citizenship and the 5 R’s ( rights, roles, resources, responsibilities, relationships).  :Telepsychiatry; Neurobiology and imaging; AI in mental health care and rehabilitation.; Robotics in PSR; Use of technology for PSR mental health care and rehabilitation.
6. Workforce, Workforce Development :Women and mental health Workforce, Workforce Development; use of enhanced training to expand workforce; Hiring; Maintaining staff resources; Credentialing for staff and volunteers; use of paraprofessionals; may have the credential but what about a person’s attitude? Standards of Competency for PSR Practitioner