Kompass Blog

Updated January 2023

What's the biggest barrier to understanding, compassion, and progress on any issue? Lack of awareness, misinformation, and a closed mind.

Nowhere is this more true (and more damaging) than in the domain of mental illness.

Mental illness is one of the most misunderstood issues on the planet. And despite recent, major pushes to generate awareness and reduce stigma, mental health issues remain shrouded in secrecy, shame, and confusion.

Ironically, mental illness touches every one of us. In any given year, 20 per cent of Canadians will experience a mental health problem. And by age 40, half of the population will have—or have had—a mental illness (Canadian Mental Health Association).

So why is it so hard for many people to grasp the realities of mental illness? False beliefs and lack of community mental health training are the major culprits. 

Let's take a look at five of the most persistent and toxic mental health myths still going strong today.

Updated January 2023

When people want to keep legal disputes out of court and behind closed doors, they often turn to mediation.

There are many reasons mediation has grown in popularity as a form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Most notably, it generally costs less than litigation and is far more flexible. Mediation is voluntary, the outcome is not legally binding, and unlike adversarial courtroom battles, mediation focuses on solutions that satisfy everyone involved.

But bringing opposing parties together and helping mistrustful people find common ground is far more challenging than it sounds. Mediators need a complex skillset to ensure the process proves worthwhile and participants leave satisfied with the outcome.

Considering pursuing mediation training, and wondering if you have a natural aptitude for conflict resolution?

Start by assessing your skills in these six key areas. If you're strong across each of these competencies, you have a good chance of becoming a highly effective mediator.

Updated December 2022

The stakes are high in arbitration. Arbitrators make binding judgments that are rarely appealed and difficult to overturn.

So what makes this form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) so popular?

Updated January 2023

Mood disorders are the most common kind of mental illness. They impact people of all ages, from children to seniors—and in many cases, go undiagnosed and untreated.

If you're in a community-serving career, it is very likely that you've encountered people suffering from mood disorders.

In 2021, 9.6 per cent of Canadians were diagnosed with mood disorders, up from nine per cent the previous year. And some estimates suggest at least 21% of the U.S. population is dealing with this category of mental illness.

Early diagnosis and intervention are absolutely crucial—and that begins with mental health training and awareness.

What are the most common kinds of mood disorders, and what symptoms should you be aware of? Let's get started.

Updated December 2022

How do people become supervisors, team leaders, and department managers?

More often than not, it's through promotion. They've put in the years, worked really hard, and slowly climbed up the corporate ladder.

Promotion through merit is a great thing. The only problem is, it rarely comes with training on how to actually manage people effectively. It can be really difficult to go from being part of the team to leading the team.

What's the best way to recruit and hire candidates? How can you increase employee satisfaction and reduce turnover? How should you handle conflicts?

These are all fundamental human resources issues. And they're just a few reasons why basic human resources training should be mandatory for anyone taking on a leadership role.

Here's a closer look at how HR skills help managers succeed.

Updated December 2022

Why do employees quit their jobs?

If you look at the research on this, you'll find that almost every single reason is a completely avoidable management mistake.

We're talking about routine blunders caused by lack of human resources training and poor leadership skills.

Why should you care? Because right at this moment, some of your top employees are thinking about quitting or actively seeking a new job.

Losing great employees costs more than just money. It eats up your time, slows productivity, and hurts overall workplace morale.

Updated December 2022

Arbitration can be used to resolve everything from personal injury cases and commercial disputes, to conflicts between countries. But how does it differ from mediation and litigation? Why would clients opt for arbitration over other forms of dispute resolution?

In this post, we're breaking down some of the most common advantages and challenges of arbitration, with the goal of helping newcomers to the field get a better sense of how this process works.

Thinking about becoming an arbitrator? Take a look at the key features of arbitration, and some of the issues you'll face helping clients settle dispute within this framework.

Updated December 2022

Gerontology is the study of aging and the challenges of the elderly. It spans legal and ethical concerns, common health care issues, access to community resources, and the stigma around aging that is so prevalent in our society.

And it may surprise you to know that gerontology is considered one of the biggest growth areas of the 21st century.

Businesses and organizations across industries are "gerontologizing" their products and services, positioning themselves to tap into this enormous pool of consumers.

But just how big will Canada's population of seniors get? And are we truly ready to meet their complex needs?

Take a look at three reasons gerontology training is becoming crucial for those of us who work with seniors, and why now is an excellent time to enhance your skills and knowledge through certification.

Updated January 2023

It doesn't matter what your professional background is. Whether you're a lawyer, litigator, or work outside the legal field, there is a checklist of steps to walk through before you even consider starting your own mediation practice.

Some of these steps are purely practical, while others require a bit of self-reflection.

Do you have the right training to be taken seriously as a mediator? Are you prepared for the effort needed to strike out on your own as a practice owner? Are you familiar with mediator designations recognized throughout Canada?

Take a few minutes to read through these six key steps so you can get a better understanding of what's involved in starting your own mediation practice.