For more information:
Contact Stephanie Mitton
Phone: 780-452-4661
Email: smitton@schizophrenia.ab.ca
See our Online Program Guide for technical details.
Learn ways to better support your loved one and yourself from experts in the field of schizophrenia.
Our online educational speakers forum provides SSA family members and caregivers with the opportunity to hear doctors and other experts speak on important topics related to schizophrenia.
Because the program is run online with the presenter on live video chat, you can attend from wherever you are as long as you have an internet connection.
Questions will be taken throughout the forum. You can participate through instant messaging, via microphone, or with full video chat. You're free to choose whatever format feels most comfortable to you.
**Please note that these programs are not recorded to maintain confidentiality for participants. **
Hope for Recovery: A Lived Experience Panel
Date: Thursday, May 21, 2026
Time: 5:00-6:30pm
Session Description:
In honour of World Schizophrenia Day and our Annual Strides of Hope Walk, join the Schizophrenia Society of Alberta for a special Lived Experience Panel featuring three speakers who will share their personal journeys with schizophrenia and recovery as part of our continued efforts to raise awareness surrounding schizophrenia and psychosis. Through sharing their stories, Peter, Gillian, and Tamara help challenge stigma associated with schizophrenia and mental health, while demonstrating that recovery is possible.
This engaging and insightful panel will feature three individuals living with schizophrenia as they discuss their lived experiences, mental health journeys, and paths to recovery.
Following the panel, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a Q&A session, creating space for open dialogue and meaningful conversations about mental health, recovery, and support. This session is a valuable opportunity for anyone looking to gain insight, ask questions, and learn more about schizophrenia and how to better support those affected.
Speakers:
Peter Edgson, Gillian Corsiatto, and Tamara Thomas
Peter Edgson lives with schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type. With having mental health issues for over 30 years, he hopes his journey to wellness will inspire people and give insight to others about this illness. Peter has been working with the Schizophrenia Society of Alberta for 10 years, taking on various positions such as Peer Support Facilitator, Community Education Presenter, and Administrative Support.
Gillian Corsiatto was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2017. Although she lives daily with significant mental health struggles, she is able to live on her own and has been working with the Schizophrenia Society of Alberta since 2019. At SSA she is a Peer Support Facilitator and Community Education Presenter. Gillian strives to be open about her experiences and has taken part in four mental health conferences, two of which were international. She is an advocate, a writer, a performer, an animal lover, and all-around goofball.
Tamara Thomas is a geomatics engineer who was diagnosed with schizophrenia 10 years ago and is living in recovery. Since joining the Schizophrenia Society of Alberta in August 2025, she has worked as a Community Education Presenter, sharing her story and helping people see schizophrenia more clearly and more humanely. She is deeply committed to shifting the way we talk about mental illness in our communities.
Office of the Advocate for Persons with Disabilities Information Session
Date: Thursday, June 11, 2026
Time: 3:00-4:00pm
Session Description:
The Office of the Advocate for Persons with Disabilities in Alberta will join us to present on:
Role of the Advocate
How the office does its work
How to contact the office
What the office hears from Albertans
Speaker: Greg McMeekin
The Advocate, Greg McMeekin, will be presenting this session. He brings his lived disability experience to his role. Greg has a law degree from the University of Calgary and a bachelor of arts in mass communications from Carlton University. Throughout his career, he has worked to promote advocacy for people with disabilities, their families, and supporters. As the advocate, Greg believes strongly in empowering people with disabilities to reach their full potential.
The Advocate will be joined by staff from the office for the presentation.
Registered Disability Savings Plan and the Canada Disability Savings Grant and Bond
Date: Wednesday, June 17, 2026 Time: 5:00-6:30pm
Session Description:
Employment and Social Development Canada will share information on the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP), which supports persons with disabilities to save for their future. The Government of Canada helps to increase these savings by contributing up to $90,000 to an individual’s RDSP through the Canada Disability Savings Grand and Bond, depending on family income and contributions.
Speaker: Jennifer Soucy
Jennifer is a policy analyst for the Canada Disability Savings Program within the Office for Disability Issues, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). Jennifer joined the federal public service in May 2021 after a 20 year career in education and non-profit organizations, where she directly supported individuals with disabilities and their families. Jennifer supports the Outreach team with the promotion of the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) and the Canada Disability Savings Grant and Bond. She is responsible for stakeholder and community engagement and provides information sessions about the RDSP, Grant and Bond to provincial and community organizations and to individuals with disabilities and their families.
Planning Ahead: Wills and Henson Trusts
Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Time: 5:00-6:30pm
Session Description:
This Estate Planning presentation provides an overview of Wills and Henson trusts, including their purpose, key features, and appropriate use. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of how these tools can be structured to preserve benefits while ensuring long-term financial security and care, with focus on families supporting loved ones who receive AISH.
Speakers: Michaela Summers & Lindsay Wigglesworth
Michaela is an Associate Lawyer at VanderLeek Law and recently received her Trust and Estate Practitioner (“TEP”) designation. Prior to attending law school at the University of Calgary, Michaela studied psychology and worked as a disability support worker and as a research assistant at the Child Development Centre. She currently volunteers with Calgary Legal Guidance.
Lindsay is an articling student at VanderLeek Law who will be called to the bar this summer. Lindsay has an undergraduate degree from the University of Calgary in English literature. She worked as a legal assistant in Calgary for 5 years before going to the University of Saskatchewan College of Law.
