Police-Encounters-With-People-In-Crisis

work day with activities that support recovery; education, employment, social, and
recreational programs; and assistance in securing housing. 17
(g) Vocational and employment supports
23. A range of organizations provide employment supports for people with serious
mental illness, including job development, creation, and employer outreach; skills
development and training; job search skills and placement; planning and career
counseling; and leadership training. 18
(h) Abuse services
24. Specialized counselling, treatment, and support services are provided to people
who have experienced or are currently experiencing abuse, including people who have
suffered family violence and child witnesses. 19
(i) Housing support and special care
25. Some housing supports, incorporating different levels of care, are available to
people with mental illness depending on their level of need. However, I understand that
the supply of housing supports does not meet the existing need, and as a result, it is very
difficult to secure housing supports.
26. Some housing supports include treatment, counselling, and rehabilitative social
and recreational services. Homes are also available to provide long-term residential care
to individuals with serious mental illness discharged from psychiatric hospitals who
require 24-hour supervision and assistance. 20
27. Beyond housing programs that provide supervision and care, there is an array of
programs designed to help people with mental illness, who are homeless or are at risk of
being homeless, to secure housing. These programs include individualized assessments
of needs and planning for how those needs can be met, connecting individuals with
landlords and various forms of public housing and rent supplements available to people
with mental illness; advocating for adequate public housing supports, and teaching life
skills necessary to live alone without care. 21
28. As discussed in greater detail below, access to adequate affordable housing is an
important and effective component of treating mental illness, because homelessness can
exacerbate existing mental health problems. A home provides some stability and control
over one’s daily life and routine, enabling people to concentrate on treating their illness.
17
Mental Health Helpline, “Services”, supra note 11.
18
Ibid.
19
Ibid.
20
CMHA Ontario, “Housing and Mental Illness” (2014), online: CMHA Ontario .
21
Mental Health Helpline, “Services”, supra note 11.
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