Ottawa, On – Louise Bradley, President & CEO of the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) issued the following statement on new clinical research conducted by the Centre for Research in Inner City Health of St. Michaels’s Hospital, Toronto published in the March issue of Journal of the American Medical Association:
“The Mental Health Commission of Canada welcomes the results of this research, a study of At Home/Chez Soi, published today in the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). The findings, that individuals suffering from severe mental health illnesses receiving both a rent supplement and Intensive Case Management had significantly better housing stability, provide further validation for the conclusions of final report of the MHCC’s At Home/Chez Soi project released in 2014.
At Home/Chez Soi demonstrated that the Housing First model works to rapidly end homelessness for people experiencing severe mental illness, and can be effectively implemented in cities of different size and different cultural contexts. It also proves that Housing First is a sound investment, with every $10 invested in services resulting in an average savings of $9.60 for participants with high needs and $3.42 for participants with moderate needs.
We are pleased that following the final report on the MHCC’s four-year study, research is being conducted to help us broaden our understanding of the issue of homelessness and how it affects those with mental health problems or illnesses. As a result of the MHCC’s At Home/Chez Soi project, and its commitment to knowledge sharing, more than 80 articles have already been published in academic research journals and well over 50 more are being planned. The MHCC is pleased that the article being released in the March 3rd edition of JAMA will add to this growing knowledge base.
Homelessness is a critical social issue in Canada with estimates suggesting that up to 200,000 Canadians experience homelessness in a given year. As a result of the success of At Home/Chez Soi, funded by the Government of Canada, the potential of Housing First continues to meet the needs of individuals across Canada who are homeless and living with severe mental health illnesses.
The MHCC is continuing to work with communities across the country to support their growing interest in Housing First implementation by providing Housing First training and technical assistance.”
Click here for further information on At Home/Chez Soi.
ABOUT THE MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSION OF CANADA
The Mental Health Commission of Canada is a catalyst for change. We are collaborating with hundreds of partners to change the attitudes of Canadians toward mental health problems and to improve services and support. Our goal is to help people who live with mental health problems and illnesses lead meaningful and productive lives. Together we create change. The Mental Health Commission of Canada is funded by Health Canada.
www.mentalhealthcommission.ca
Media Contact:
Glenn Johnson, Senior Media Relations Specialist
Mental Health Commission of Canada
Mobile: 1-613-683-3940
gjohnson@mentalhealthcommission.ca
