Good afternoon, everybody. I'm calling this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 32 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on the Status of Women.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted on Tuesday, February 1, the committee will resume its study of the mental health of young women and girls.
Today’s meeting is taking place in a hybrid format pursuant to the House order of June 23, 2022. Members are attending in person in the room and remotely using the Zoom application.
I would like to make a few comments for the benefit of our witnesses and members.
Please wait until I recognize you by name before speaking. For those participating by video conference, click on the microphone icon to activate your mike, and please mute your mike when you're not speaking.
For interpretation for those on Zoom, you have the choice at the bottom of your screen of floor, English or French. For those in the room, you can use your earpiece and select your desired channel.
I will remind you that all comments should be addressed through the chair.
For members in the room, if you wish to speak, please raise your hand. For members on Zoom, please use the “raise hand” function.
I'm going to remind people that we do have all of our witnesses on Zoom today. They should all be showing up shortly.
If I start to interrupt you, witnesses, I'm going to ask if you could wind it down within 15 seconds.
This is a bit of a trigger warning. As we all know, this study is very difficult. We will be discussing experiences related to mental health that will be triggering to viewers, members or staff with similar experiences. If you feel distressed or if you need help, please advise the clerk.
I would now like to welcome our witnesses for today's meeting. As I said, everyone will be on the screen.
On the panel, we have, as an individual, Dr. April Elliott, adolescent pediatrician, and Dr. Ryan Van Lieshout, associate professor, McMaster University, and he too is here as an individual. From the Kids Help Phone, we have Alisa Simon, executive vice-president and chief youth officer, E-mental health strategy, and from Klinic Community Health, we have Karla Andrich, counsellor.
Each of you will be provided five minutes for your organization's presentation.
I'm going to give the floor to Dr. April Elliott for five minutes.