CSPA presents Breaking Barriers 2026: Understanding the Connection Between Skin Health & Mental Health
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Living with a skin condition affects more than your skin. It can impact your confidence, relationships, work, school, sleep, and emotional well-being.
Join the Canadian Skin Patient Alliance for Breaking Barriers 2026, a free 90 minute virtual workshop featuring leading Canadian experts in psychodermatology who are transforming the way we understand and support the mental health needs of people living with skin, hair, and nail conditions. Discover the powerful connection between the mind and skin, learn practical coping strategies backed by research, and hear how innovative Canadian programs are helping improve quality of life for patients across the country. Whether you're living with eczema, psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa, alopecia areata, vitiligo, chronic urticaria, acne, or another dermatological condition—or caring for someone who is—this workshop is for you.
Wednesday, October 14th, 2026 6:30-8 PM EST.
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Marlene Dytoc, MD, FRCPC, Professor of Health Psychology/ Behavioural Medicine. Dr. Dytoc's work spans psychodermatology, vulvar health, patient education, and quality improvement (QI). Through clinical practice, research, and mentorship, she has championed holistic approaches to dermatologic care that address both the physical and psychosocial impacts of skin disease. Dr. Dytoc will introduce the Mind Skin Health Index, the content of which is informed by a systematic review of psychodermatology screening tools and validated by Delphi consensus with experts and patients, to screen for the psychosocial impact of skin conditions as well as primary psychodermatologic diagnoses.
Participant discussion and workshop moderated by Dr. Adam Abba-Aji and CSPA Executive Director Dana Gies
This event will be held in English.
We appreciate the support of Arcutis, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Leo, Sanofi, Galderma, and UCB for making this event possible.
