Children’s Mental Health Workshop Series
Practical approaches to help Family physicians confidently navigate Child & Youth Mental Health
Children and adolescents are increasingly presenting in primary care with mental health concerns that can be difficult to assess and manage in a busy clinical setting. This two-part, case-based workshop series gives family physicians a practical roadmap for recognizing common presentations, using age-appropriate screening tools, initiating evidence-informed treatment, and supporting children, youth and families with confidence.
Designed through a primary care lens, Workshop I builds core assessment and early management skills, while Workshop II applies that foundation to more complex, trauma-informed and co-morbid presentations. Participants are encouraged to attend both workshops to gain a more complete approach to child and youth mental health care — from first presentation to ongoing management
Upcoming Workshop Details
- Children’s Mental Health in Primary Care: Foundations of Assessment and Early Management – October 7, 2026 (1:30 PM – 4:30 PM)
- $250 + HST
- Children’s Mental Health in Primary Care: Advanced Cases and Complex Management – December 2, 2026 (1:30 PM – 4:30 PM)
- $250 + HST
- Register for both workshops (Foundations & Advanced) for a special rate of $450 + HST!
For the greatest benefit, participants are encouraged to register for both workshops. Workshop I provides foundational assessment and early management strategies; Workshop II builds on that foundation by focusing on complex cases, co-morbid conditions, trauma-informed care and medication considerations.
Why Attend?
- Strengthen your confidence assessing and managing child and youth mental health concerns in primary care.
- Learn practical approaches for common presentations such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, grief and adjustment disorder.
- Apply evidence-based screening tools and clinical resources to support assessment, treatment planning and follow-up.
- Explore realistic cases that reflect the complexity family physicians see in day-to-day practice.
- Build a clearer pathway for knowing what to do, what to monitor and when additional supports may be needed.
Who Should Take These Workshops
This series is designed for family physicians, but other healthcare professionals working with children and youth are also welcome. Clinicians who wish to strengthen their capacity to identify, evaluate and manage mental health challenges across developmental stages will benefit from these workshops.
The program blends theory with practical strategies, equipping participants to deliver informed, compassionate and effective mental health care.
Explore Real-World Cases
- A youth presenting with low mood, functional decline or possible depression.
- A child experiencing grief, adjustment challenges or family transition.
- A school-aged child with ADHD symptoms and behavioural manifestations.
- An adolescent presentation involving trauma, emotional dysregulation or more complex medication management.
- An adolescent with autism spectrum disorder and overlapping mental health conditions.
Children’s Mental Health in Primary Care: Foundations of Assessment and Early Management
The Foundations workshop focuses on the core principles of mental health assessment in children. Participants will explore how to take a comprehensive psychosocial history specific to school-aged children and adolescents; identify common childhood presentations, including adjustment disorder, anxiety and depression; and review essential concepts related to ADHD. The session emphasizes early identification through use of evidence-based screening tools and introduces pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic management strategies. Attendees will also become familiar with practical tools and clinical resources that support management in primary and community care settings.
Children’s Mental Health in Primary Care: Advanced Cases and Complex Management
The Advanced workshop builds on the foundational knowledge from Module I and addresses more complex mood, anxiety, trauma, and neurodevelopmental presentations in adolescents. Core concepts in confidentiality and consent, trauma-informed care, differentiating and managing co-morbid mental health conditions, and pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions will be covered. Emphasis is placed on integrated, evidence-informed and age-appropriate care. Screening and management strategies will be explored. To be notified once registration opens, email us at ocfpcme@ocfp.on.ca.
What You’ll Take Back to Practice
- Practical assessment frameworks for common child and youth mental health concerns.
- Screening tools and clinical resources to support early identification and follow-up.
- Approaches to treatment planning for anxiety, depression, ADHD, grief and adjustment disorder.
- Strategies for supporting youth with trauma-informed, complex or co-morbid presentations.
- Greater confidence navigating conversations with children, adolescents and families.
Not sure which module to sign up for?
Read below to see who each module is best suited for and what you can expect to gain.
Still unsure?
Email us at ocfpcme@ocfp.on.ca with a few lines on your experience and learning goals, and we’ll recommend the best fit.