Kompass Blog

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.

Updated January 2023

A few years ago, CBC News shared new data from Statistics Canada on rising rates of depression among Canadian youth. The CBC reported that Canadians ages 15 to 24 had the highest rates of depression of any age group in the country.

Suicide is the second-leading cause of death (after accidents) among this same demographic—accounting for nearly a quarter of all deaths.

If you work with young people, you may have often wondered, is this "normal" teenage behaviour, or a symptom of something more serious?

At this age, hormonal and physical changes typically cause moodiness, short temper, and other kinds of erratic behaviour. At what point should you be concerned?

Start by watching out for these three very common signs of depression in teens.

Individually, these behaviors may not indicate a mental health issue, but in combination or with a high level of intensity and duration, they are definitely cause for serious concern.

Are you considering entering the fast-growing field of alternative dispute resolution (ADR)? From workplace conflicts to divorce proceedings to commercial contract battles, ADR is often used as an alternative to costly, time-consuming, highly stressful litigation.

Demand for qualified, talented mediators, facilitators, and arbitrators is the rise. Your first step toward a career in arbitration is a quality, introductory training program. A comprehensive arbitration certificate will give you a solid grounding in the principles and practices of arbitration, as well as hands-on experience hearing and deciding cases.

Updated January 2023

Does your work bring you into regular contact with seniors? Does your position in community services or health care involve supporting older people?

Out of all the seniors you see in a year, what percentage do you suspect suffer from poor mental health?

Data from Statistics Canada shows that more than one-third of seniors reported that their mental health had worsened during the pandemic.

And as our population ages, these numbers are expected to grow. 

This post focuses on three of the biggest mental health challenges Canadians seniors are facing right now,and offers an overview of helpful facts for anyone who works with older adults in the community.