Human Resources committee  I can make two points very quickly—

Human Resources committee  I'll make two points very, very quickly. The first point is that often those who work with seniors and who are supporting seniors—home care workers, workers in care homes, bankers, lawyers, and others who interact with seniors—don't have the skills and abilities to recognize when a mental health issue is emerging or know what to do about it.

Human Resources committee  We know the impact of the determinants of health. The ongoing systemic lack of access to safe housing, clean water, and food security has a devastating impact on these communities. We also know that access to good quality education, health care services, and psychological services that are culturally sensitive and appropriate is lacking in these communities.

Human Resources committee  It's great that you've recognized the mental health issues and that you've realized an intervention is needed. Emergency mental health outreach in the shelters is one aspect of being able to do that. I will go back, though, to my original comments and say that it may not be the long-term answer.

Human Resources committee  Housing First started as an innovation and, of course, it's now been proven.

Human Resources committee  There is work taking place in workplaces to make workplaces more accessible to those experiencing mental illness, either entering the work force or staying within the work force. We have a case study of 40 organizations implementing the national standard on psychological health and safety in the workplace that will highlight innovations.

Human Resources committee  Thank you. I think that innovation poses a particular challenge for funders, in that they should be providing funding to things that are proven, that have evidence to show that they work, yet many innovations are based on common sense and what intuitively looks like it should work.

Human Resources committee  Your point is well made. I don't think research is the only answer, but proving what works in an empirical way is a part of the equation that must be considered.

Human Resources committee  The At Home/Chez Soi project that I spoke about earlier took place in five pilot sites across the country. The pilot site in Winnipeg was one that had a particular focus on indigenous communities, due to the demographics of that population. It was successful because it was done in partnership and with the leadership of the indigenous community walking alongside, rather than by imposing interventions.

Human Resources committee  Absolutely.

Human Resources committee  To be quite—

Human Resources committee  To be quite frank, it's money. We have a project that will demonstrate what works and what doesn't and help us put some science behind understanding the best practices in terms of what workplaces should be doing. We need to enact that demonstration project and put the research in place that's necessary.

Human Resources committee  Yes. Thank you for a very relevant question. About three-quarters of adults who experience mental illness tell us that their symptoms actually started in their teenage years, started as a youth, so clearly it's having an impact on those entering the workforce for the very first time.

Human Resources committee  We do, in fact.

Human Resources committee  Thank you for the question. I'm happy that you've targeted stigma in your question, because it is absolutely key. As a commission, we've had the opportunity to work with researchers across the country, particularly researchers out of the University of Calgary and Queen's. Through that extensive research, we know the key ingredients to programs that reduce stigma, so we know how to tackle the problem.