Presented by Dr. Ross Laird, PhD RCC
This presentation explores the complexities of youth development in an age of rising stress, interconnected challenges, and technological immersion. How do we cultivate the emotional, social, and academic development of young people while also promoting their resilience amid the many hurdles they face? How do we provide mentorship, and robust mental health, and the skills to thrive in a turbulent age? How do we help them grapple with pressing and urgent problems - climate change, economic uncertainty, social fragmentation - without becoming overwhelmed? What are the best actions we can take to help young people learn and grow?
This presentation provides an overview of evidence-based skills and strategies for youth development along with a suite of simple, practical tools that can assist kids and parents in navigating the modern landscape.
Dr. Ross Laird, PhD RCC is a consultant to organisations on themes of personal development, professional mentorship, and whole-person learning. He has worked extensively in the fields of addiction, interpersonal conflict, trauma, creativity, and healing, and is a best-selling author of books on personal development. Dr. Laird has won multiple awards for his writing, teaching, scholarship, and clinical work. He is the clinical supervisor to BC’s largest provincially-funded addictions treatment program and a consultant to many others. He has taught at more than a dozen post-secondary institutions and has been involved with research at the National September 11 Memorial and Museum in New York, the War Childhood Museum in Sarajevo, and the Happy Museum Project in the UK. He has worked with first responders, parent groups, refugees, Indigenous communities, university students, cancer patients - hundreds of organisations both in Canada and internationally. Dr. Laird is currently completing his third book (on addictions and the path of healing) as well as two further books, with co-authors, focused on the role that creative and cultural activities can play in mental health and wellbeing.
Mulgrave School
Mulgrave School
Mulgrave School
