Regional Roadshow Events
Coming together to learn, discuss & connect.
These events offered throughout the province underscore BCACCs commitment to a strong community and professional excellence.
The Regional Roadshow in 2024 was well attended and for the first time, BCACC hosted community stakeholders to engage in a panel discussion on the state of mental health in their areas and provided an opportunity for them to connect with each other and with attendees for a rich discussion.
What is the regional roadshow?
Professional Development
Workshops reflecting current trends in mental health to equip our members with up-to-date knowledge and important tools for working with clients.
Stakeholder Engagement
Facilitated discussions that prioritize that local voices and concerns are heard! We create the space to have honest conversations on emerging needs which help inform future BCACC planning and advocacy.
Community Building
Each day ends in a lively social event! Our goal is to contribute to your RCC community. We are here to support peer connection and collaboration around the province.
A more detailed look at the programming:
A full-day workshop on Working with Adult ADHD Clients.
Led by Dr. Elisabeth Baerg Hall and Dr. Candice Murray, this session addressed the growing need for adult ADHD expertise, covering diagnostic tools, neurobiology, differentiation from other mental health conditions, and practical client support strategies.
A half-day workshop on Clinical Supervision
The session explored supervision practices, the evolving needs of counsellors, and strategies for maximizing the value of supervision in diverse setting. Facilitated by Dr. Jeff Chang in Burnaby, Kelowna and Victoria, and Dr. John Sherry in Prince George.
Stakeholder Panel Discussion on Important topics in each region.
Each location hosted a panel discussion with key stakeholders followed by roundtable talks on the state of mental health and counselling in each region, enabling direct dialogue between RCCs, local stakeholders, and mental health thought leaders. There was a level of honesty that brought forward —–.
Free social events for RCCs to connect.
In each region we offered the opportunity to for RCCs and BCACC staff to connect, share ideas & experiences, and build professional relationships. These were open to all members,regardleess if they attending the workshops.
The outcomes from the Panel Discussion & rounDtable event:
While the panel discussions in each region had their own considerations, there were common themes that came to the surface.
All roundtables revealed consistent challenges in delivering accessible, reliable mental health services across British Columbia, particularly in rural and remote communities.
Participants pointed to ongoing issues with staffing shortages, limited funding, and a lack of clinical supervision and support, all of which contributed to burnout and difficulties retaining qualified professionals.
Low wages, geographic isolation, and program silos were identified as key barriers to effective care.
The discussions also emphasized the need for more affordable and culturally responsive counselling options, especially for underserved populations.
Promising ideas emerged, including the expansion of peer support programs, single-session counselling models, and practicum student engagement.
There was strong support for financial and structural incentives to help counsellors thrive in non-profit and public sector roles.
Across all sessions, the call was clear:
Improving collaboration, valuing the mental health workforce, and investing in community-based infrastructure are essential to meeting the needs of individuals and families across the province.
Prince George: 54 attendees
Regional Roundtable Event including:
- Julie Morrison – Vice President, Regional Operations, Northern Region, FNHA
- Toni Carleton – Provincial Director, Community, Culture & Connection, Foundry
- Elaine Laberge – Executive Director, CMHA Northern BC
- Adrian Jaggasar – RCMP, Car 60
- Sarah Bishop, Manager of the Mobile Response Team (Disaster Psychosocial, PHSA)
- Margot Parkes, Interim Dean Human and Health Sciences UNBC
Burnaby: 280 Attendees
Regional Roundtable Event including:
- Rune Mikkelsen – Director of Operations, Turning Point Recovery
- Sharon MacAlpine, RCC – Counsellor, Turning Point Recovery Society
- David Hutton – Director of the Provincial Disaster Psychosocial (DPS) Team within Health Emergency Management British Columbia (HEMBC)
- Lauren Swift, RCC – Foundry BC
Victoria: 120 Attendees
Regional Roundtable Event including:
- Kelly Reid – Interim Executive Director of Mental Health and Substance Use, Island Health
- Candice Alder, RCC – BCACC Board President
- David Hutton – Director of the Provincial Disaster Psychosocial (DPS) Team within Health Emergency Management British Columbia (HEMBC)
- Wendy Watts, RCC – Program Coordinator for the Women’s Counselling program at the Islands Wellness Society (Daajing Giids, BC)
Kelowna: 101 Attendees
- Adrienne Yeung – Community Grants Manager – Community Counselling at the Community Action Initiative (CAI)
- Jodi Boyle, Program Development Consultant-Crisis Care Reform at CMHA BC
- Sara Frankenberger Education Specialist, Provincial Psychosocial Services program, Health Emergency Management British Columbia (HEMBC)
- Liz Gomes, Executive Director, South Okanagan Women in Need Society (SOWINS)
- Coleen Adderley – Interior Regional Representative for BCACC
A FEW PHOTOS OF THE EVENT
