Veterans Affairs committee  It's a very complex issue that you are raising. We have hopes that with the monies tied to mental health from the health accord, there would be a bringing together of some of the knowledge. What we're seeing now is that there are pockets of excellence in various provinces and ter

Veterans Affairs committee  The proposal that we are talking about is specific to suicide prevention. It's very specific to that, so we had not contemplated looking at.... This is something that we would like to do right across the country because, as a commission, we have to look at the suicide rates in th

Veterans Affairs committee  Are you referring to the community approach we were talking about, or is it mental health first aid and R2MR?

Veterans Affairs committee  Okay. There are four different priorities that would be implemented in each of the communities. Families are very much included in that. They're a vital part of the approach and so are definitely very much included in that. With regard to mental health first aid, that's availa

Veterans Affairs committee  I don't believe there are any female veterans on the committee. There are none. They are male veterans. What was your second question?

Veterans Affairs committee  In any of the meetings I've attended, and I believe the same is true for Ed, that has not been a focus of discussion.

Veterans Affairs committee  It likely would. I'm not familiar with that piece, but what we are proposing is a community-based program. What we are proposing is one in each province and territory. It would be outside of the hospital setting.

Veterans Affairs committee  Thank you very much. The Mental Health Commission of Canada is delighted to be here today. Thank you for inviting us. It's really encouraging to see government making veterans' mental health a key priority. As we all know, suicide is a devastating reality. This is not just the

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Absolutely.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Do you mean on staff?

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  We have increased our numbers just recently. We're trying to get representation in each of our program areas. Currently I believe we have about four indigenous people on staff.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  We have two indigenous board members.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  The board is currently 14.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I'll start off with some general remarks. I think you're absolutely right when you look at the issue of housing, which is a huge social determinant of health. The Mental Health Commission of Canada did a five-year research demonstration project on homelessness and the mentally il

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you very much for inviting us here today. It's really a privilege to appear before this committee. I think it's doubly important to acknowledge the Algonquin people, who are the traditional custodians of this land. I'd also like to pay respect to their elders past and pre