Canada 2021: Canadian Sleep Society (CSS) and Canadian Sleep and Circadian Network (CSCN) Trainee Task Force

Delegate: Canadian Sleep Society (CSS) and Canadian Sleep and Circadian Network (CSCN) Trainee Task Force

Affiliations: Canadian Sleep Society (CSS) and Canadian Sleep and Circadian Network (CSCN)

Short Bio: This year, trainees from the Canadian Sleep Society (CSS) and Canadian Sleep and Circadian Network (CSCN) have established the CSS/CSCN Trainee Task Force. One of our goals is to develop opportunities and tools for trainees in the fields of sleep, sleep medicine and circadian rhythms. As CSS/CSCN trainees, we also aim to promote sleep health awareness. Thus, we would like to contribute with one activity for the World Sleep Day (WSD). For more information on the CSS/CSCN Trainee Task Force: https://css-scs.ca/css-cscn-trainee-task-force/

Activity: Our WSD activity is divided into four main actions: i) a press release for sleep health awareness, ii) a fundraiser “Move for Sleep” challenge, iii) a Trainee Grant for a project proposal focusing on sleep health promotion, and iv) pamphlets and webinars to help promote sleep awareness.

1) Press release With the Press Release, we hope to be present on the Canadian Media on March 19th to raise sleep awareness in the population. Interviews will be given by Canadian Sleep researcher members of the CSS and CSCN. Interviews will be shared on our social media (twitter and facebook accounts). We will use these platforms to promote sleep health awareness and share and advocate for the same key messages promoted by the WSD toolkit talking points. Press releases will be on March 19th morning

2) Move for Sleep: Fundraising for Sleep Health Awareness. The fundraiser event will celebrate World Sleep Day and raise awareness of the importance of healthy sleep habits. It will consist of a fun 5K challenge of an activity of the participants’ choice (e.g., running, snowshoeing, biking, etc.). Participants can take part individually or team up with friends, family, or colleagues. Funds raised will be allocated to recipient/s of the WSD CSS/CSCN Trainee Project 2021 Grant (see point 3), and to prizes for the “Move for Sleep” challenge for participants. Registration to the “Move for Sleep” challenge will give participants access to a sleep health brochure from the Canadian Sleep Society and an online webinar (see point 4). We attach the promotional flier of the event (see Doc. 2). For more information and registrations, visit: https://raceroster.com/events/2021/40917/move-for-sleep-bouge-pour-le-sommeil Move for Sleep registrations and fundraiser are open now until March 26th, 2021 11:59 pm (EST)

3) Call for Projects for the WSD CSS/CSCN Trainee Project 2021 Grant. This grant is designed by trainees for trainees to support ongoing or proposed student projects that promote sleep health and/or awareness locally or internationally. Applicants must be students (i.e., Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral) or post-doctoral fellows enrolled full-time at a Canadian University. Judges will evaluate the project’s relevance to world sleep health, community outreach, and/or knowledge translation and the project’s potential for international collaboration. Funds will be obtained from the “Move for Sleep” challenge fundraiser (see point 2). The deadline to submit applications for the WSD CSS/CSCN Trainee Project 2021 Grant is April 30th, 2021, at 11:59PM EST. Awardees will be announced before August 31st, 2021. Applications and more information here: https://css-scs.ca/grant-2021-for-trainees-call-for-projects/

4) Bilingual Brochures and webinars to help promote sleep awareness. A Canadian Sleep Society brochure about “Normal Sleep” will be distributed for free to all the participants of the “Move for Sleep “ Challenge. At the end of the one-week “Move for Sleep” challenge, webinars entitled Insomnia, Don’t sleep on it! Tips from Dr. Thanh Dang-Vu, (one in English and one in French) will be offered to the general public. They will be given by Dr. Thien Thanh Dang-Vu, a Canadian sleep health expert and the VP research of the Canadian Sleep Society (see attached Doc. 3) Webinars are scheduled for Friday, March 26th at 3:30pm EST for the English version and at 4:30 for the French version. The General public can register here in English: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/insomnia-dont-sleep-on-it-tips-from-dr-thanh-dang-vu-tickets-141481538089 and here in French: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/insomnie-ne-dormez-pas-la-dessus-conseils-avec-le-dr-thanh-dang-vu-tickets-141745036219

Location: Our activity will be undertaken throughout media, webpages, email threads and virtual events.

Date of Activity: See the dates of activity component in the Activity description.

Submitted By: CSS/CSCN Trainee Task Force