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March 30, 2023

LifeSpeak Spring Campaign

It’s been a long day at the office. You collapse onto the couch and try to relax. Just a few moments of peace and quiet is all you need.

But before you know it, your partner wants to discuss their day, the kids need to be picked up from school, and your parents’ doctor is calling you. You value all these relationships, but managing them through the stress of daily life can feel overwhelming.

Resilient relationships are essential to our wellbeing, but they don’t happen on their own.

In this campaign, our experts will help you resolve conflicts with coworkers, communicate effectively with a partner, talk to your teens, improve your relationship with money, and much more. They’ll provide the strategies and insight you need to build healthy, resilient relationships in your personal and professional life.

On April 19th at 12:00 p.m. ET the Ask the Expert web chat will be on Personal Finance: Making the Most with Your Money.

Check out your LifeSpeak platform now! Log in using the Group Account option. The password is "wellness".

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February 28, 2023

Pension Information Seminar - February 2023

The United Church of Canada provides a Defined Benefit Pension Plan for all employees who work more than 14 hours a week.

Visit CHURCHx for a recording of the 90 minute Pension Information Seminar to learn about how the plan works, what it costs, what it provides, and how to apply for your pension when you're ready. In this program, we will describe:

  • what a "defined benefit plan" is
  • how costs and benefits are determined
  • other ways that you might plan for retirement, including personal savings, government benefits, and coordination with other pension or benefits plans you may have access to
  • options to consider as you prepare to retire.

To view the recording and get all the handouts:

  • navigate to https://churchx.ca
  • use the "Member login" button at the top right of your screen, and enter your username and password. This will take you to your Dashboard
  • from your Dashboard, click on the title of the course
  • if you need help with CHURCHx, please reach out to Tay Moss at help@churchx.ca

Click here to view a recording of this seminar on YouTube.

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October 3, 2022

LifeWorks’ webinar to mark World Mental Health Day

Join us on October 4, 11 a.m. (EDT) at Leave no one behind: A total approach to workplace mental health, a thought leadership webinar brought to you by LifeWorks Learning.

The webinar is a precursor to World Mental Health Day, which falls on October 10. World Mental Health Day provides an opportunity for everyone in the workplace to reflect on how they can protect and improve their mental health and that of their colleagues.

Mental health experts Stéphane Grenier, Lieutenant-Colonel (Retired), Canadian Armed Forces and Paula Allen, Global Leader and SVP, Research and Total Wellbeing will speak about new workplace mental health solutions to meet the needs of diverse workforces at the event.

In light of recent trends such as Quiet Quitting and Great Resignations, LifeWorks is also launching Total Mental Health, a new mental health solution for employees that delivers on-demand mental health support through easy-to-read data and insights about employees’ mental health and well-being.

You will also get access to an exclusive preview of Total Mental Health at the event.

Click here to register!

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May 3, 2022

May 5 - LifeWorks Free Webinar for Mental Health Month

Canada’s Mental Health Week is happening from May 2-8. To mark the occasion, LifeWorks Learning is offering a free webinarNo One Left Behind – Exploring the looming mental health crisis by bridging the care and inclusion gap. On May 5 at 11:00 am ET, their panel of experts will discuss how the barriers to mental health care leave people feeling isolated. Given the current state of the world, the number of people struggling with various mental health challenges is staggering. The system of public services, employer services and health benefits can often feel confusing and fragmented contributing to the lurking mental health crisis. As a result, people are left behind and feeling alone, and LifeWorks are committed to solving this problem. It’s time to reframe and transform discussions around mental health and the spectrum of care!

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April 18, 2022

Don’t let work and life drain you – learn to recharge

When we feel overloaded, our tendency is to do just one more thing or push through. Managing this way actually depletes our energy and reduces our focus and productivity. This means we have to work harder and longer to get the same results we’d achieve if we took time to recharge.

Join the Workplace Strategies for Mental Health public webinar for Don’t let work and life drain you – learn to recharge – a live, interactive event on Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. EST in recognition of Mental Health Week.

Mary Ann Baynton, Director of Collaboration and Strategy with Workplace Strategies for Mental Health, and Organizational Health Consultants on Canada Life’s Well-being team will share tips and insights as we:

  • Explore strategies and resources to recharge and find balance
  • Brainstorm specific actions that could prevent or reduce workload stress
  • Prepare to talk about workload management with leaders or teams
  • Explore a variety of activities to help us relax, calm our minds and energize us

There’s no registration required – just click on the event link a bit before the start time. It may be the most informative and inspiring 45 minutes of your day!

This is a Microsoft Teams Live event. Make sure you’ve downloaded the Microsoft Teams app before the webinar.
Find local number.
Phone conference ID: 751 106 57#

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March 4, 2022

Lifestyle Medicine Paving the Path to Wellness

The third webinar of Teladoc Health's 5-topic series - Lifestyle Medicine Paving the Path to Wellness - will be hosted by Dr. Tim Foggin and Dr. Beth Frates on Wednesday, March 23 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

During the discussion, Dr. Frates and Dr. Foggin will review concrete examples of how small lifestyle-related, health-enhancing changes can improve our overall well-being. They’ll review principles that take listeners on a journey across the mind, body, and spirit, with practical self-reflection exercises.

This webinar will be recorded and shared later if you’re interested but unable to attend.

Attendees will learn:

  • Perspectives on the return to normal, and strategies to cope with stress
  • Concrete examples of how small changes can improve their overall health and well-being
  • The latest evidence regarding lifestyle factors

Dr. Frates is a trained physiatrist and a health and wellness coach, with expertise in Lifestyle Medicine. She is an award-winning teacher at Harvard Medical School, where she is an assistant clinical professor and considered a pioneer in lifestyle medicine. Dr. Frates won the election for President-elect of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine in August 2020 and works as the Director of Wellness Programming at the Stroke Institute for Research and Recovery at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, a Harvard Medical School affiliate, in conjunction to serving as the Director of Lifestyle Medicine and Wellness for the Department of Surgery at Mass General Hospital. She authored a Lifestyle Medicine syllabus, co-authored the Lifestyle Medicine Handbook: An introduction to the Power of Healthy Habits and co-created Lifestyle Medicine 101, a full college curriculum. In 2020, Beth co-authored The Teen Lifestyle Medicine Handbook and co-created an entire curriculum for teens to be used by communities and schools in their health and wellness classes as well as just as general reference for teens and parents. Most recently, Dr. Frates co-authored the book PAVING the Path to Wellness Workbook: A guide to thriving with a healthy body, peaceful mind, and joyful heart. Dr. Frates has her own Lifestyle Medicine consulting/coaching practice where she sees patients 1:1 and in group settings.

Dr. Timothy Foggin is the Medical Director for Canada at Teladoc Health and a Certified Lifestyle Medicine Physician.  Dr. Foggin completed Medical School and his family medicine residency at McGill University in Montreal and his Public Health and Preventive Medicine Residency at UBC in Vancouver. He has worked for Teladoc Health first as the VP and Medical Director of Teladoc Health in Asia and more recently as the Medical Director for Canada.

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Register to be part of this exciting discussion on Lifestyle Medicine Paving the Path to Wellness.

February 8, 2022

A Day In The Life: The cost of wellbeing for Black identifying individuals

On February 24 at 12:00 p.m. EST, LifeWorks would like to invite you to their Black History Month event. In alignment with this year’s theme – Black Health and Wellbeing – this one-hour session, entitled “A Day In The Life: The cost of wellbeing for Black identifying individuals” will explore many themes around the health and wellness systems, external environment, self-care and their impact on Black health.

This webinar will be hosted by Paula Allen, Global Leader, Research and Total Wellbeing, with speakers Dr. Joseph Smith and Michelle Gardner.

Dr. Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith is a PhD. His doctorate is in the Humanities and encompasses key notions amongst the disciplines of philosophy, psychology, religious studies, and literature with a focus on the philosophies of self-consciousness within the west and the intellectual background of black consciousness. He is a qualified elementary, secondary, and post-secondary educator and the current Vice Principal of Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute; co-founder of the non-profit organization Generation Chosen which seeks to interrupt intergenerational cycles of trauma and poverty; a former project coordinator for the Black Experience Project housed/funded by Environics Research Institute; a facilitator and consultant in the area of Anti-Black Racism and Emotional health at Life Works; sits on the board of Operation Black Vote Canada as the Director of Youth Outreach; and is a founding member of the Foundation for Black Communities which is a non-profit organization.

Michelle Gardner
Michelle has actively worked in the local community for more than 20 years, spearheading local programs. Her community experience includes being a facilitator of an adult literacy program, a director for youth programs, a women's community group instructor, and a conference speaker. She holds a bachelor's in theology, is a registered clinical counselor, and has a life coach certification. In tandem with her community activities, Michelle is a successful Corporate Communications and Events Planner with 11 years of experience working for a global logistics company managing large and small events, vetting keynote speakers, and planning executive c-suite level workshops. Her corporate portfolio included:

  • Managing partner sponsorship agreements.
  • Allocating funds to charitable organizations.
  • Organized onsite company-sponsored activities across Canada, including the highly esteemed Grey Cup event.
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February 3, 2022

Pension Information Seminar

The United Church of Canada provides a Defined Benefit Pension Plan for all employees who work more than 14 hours a week. Join us for this 90 minute program held by Shenagh Rosa, Manager for Pension Compliance and Communication, on February 14, 2022 at 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. ET to learn about how the plan works, what it costs, what it provides, and how to apply for your pension when your are ready.

This seminar will cover:

  • what a “defined benefit plan” is
  • how costs and benefits are determined
  • other ways that you might plan for retirement, including personal savings, government benefits, and coordination with other pension or benefits plans you may have access to
  • options to consider as you prepare to retire.

All Members of the plan will find this information useful, but we particularly recommend it for

  • People who are new to the plan (i.e. those who are recently hired)
  • Members or their family members who are in the midst of a significant life change (birth, marriage, divorce, death, job change)
  • People who are planning for retirement
  • Members of Ministry & Personnel Committees or congregational Boards/Councils
  • Church Treasurers
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Learn more at United in Learning

Register for February 14, 2022

November 3, 2021

Lifestyle Medicine and Breast Cancer Webinar

On Wednesday, December 1st at 2 pm ET join Dr. Timothy Foggin and Dr. Amy Comander for a virtual fireside chat about Lifestyle Medicine and Breast Cancer, understanding the role of lifestyle in cancer development and resources for lifestyle preventions.

During the discussion, Dr. Comander and Dr. Foggin will discuss lifestyle interventions, including exercise, diet, mind/body connections, and:

  • Breast cancer risk factors and the role of genetics
  • The latest evidence regarding lifestyle factors and breast cancer risk reduction
  • The importance of return to screening given delays during the pandemic

Register here to be part of this discussion on Lifestyle Medicine and Breast Cancer.

Dr. Amy Comander is the Director of Breast Oncology and Survivorship at the Mass General Cancer Center in Waltham and Newton Wellesley Hospital and Medical Director of the Mass General Cancer Center in Waltham. Dr. Comander received her MD at Yale University School of Medicine. She completed her Internal Medicine residency and Hematology-Oncology fellowship at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School. She is board certified in Hematology and Medical Oncology, as well as in Lifestyle Medicine. She is on the board of the Ellie Fund, which provides support to women with breast cancer in Massachusetts. Dr. Comander has a passion for improving the quality of life and outcome of cancer survivors through lifestyle interventions, including exercise, diet, and mind/body strategies.  She practices what she preaches, having run 8 consecutive Boston Marathons for charitable causes.

Dr. Timothy Foggin is the Medical Director for Canada at Teladoc Health and public health expert. Dr. Foggin completed Med School and his family medicine residency at McGill University in Montreal and his Public Health and Preventive Medicine Residency at UBC in Vancouver. He has worked for Teladoc Health first as the VP and Medical Director of Teladoc Health in Asia and more recently as medical director for Canada. 

 

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Teladoc Health

Register - Lifestyle Medicine and Breast Cancer webinar

August 20, 2021

Pension Information Seminar

The United Church of Canada provides a Defined Benefit Pension Plan for all employees who work more than 14 hours a week. Join us for this 90 minute program held by Shenagh Rosa, Manager for Pension Compliance and Communication, on September 20, 2021 at 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. ET to learn about how the plan works, what it costs, what it provides, and how to apply for your pension when your are ready.

This seminar will cover:

  • what a “defined benefit plan” is
  • how costs and benefits are determined
  • other ways that you might plan for retirement, including personal savings, government benefits, and coordination with other pension or benefits plans you may have access to
  • options to consider as you prepare to retire.

All Members of the plan will find this information useful, but we particularly recommend it for

  • People who are new to the plan (i.e. those who are recently hired)
  • Members or their family members who are in the midst of a significant life change (birth, marriage, divorce, death, job change)
  • People who are planning for retirement
  • Members of Ministry & Personnel Committees or congregational Boards/Councils
  • Church Treasurers

Learn more this Pension Information Seminar at the United in Learning website.

Click here to register for September 20, 2021

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