Keir Macdonald’s Post

Every year on October 10, people across the world pause to recognize the needs of those experiencing homelessness in their local communities as part of World Homeless Day. It’s essential that we reflect on the growing housing crisis and the urgent need for action. To continue this vital conversation, please join us for an important event: 📣Vancouver’s Homelessness and Addiction Crises – Policy and Prospects featuring some great speakers such as Erika Sagert, Alexandra Flynn, Thomas Davidoff, and myself. This event brings together thought leaders from the policy and housing sectors to explore the root causes of homelessness and addiction and to discuss strategies for the future. Whether you're a policymaker, advocate, or community member, this is a crucial opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue and drive solutions forward. 📅 Date: October 21, 2024 🕒 Time: 5pm-8pm 📍 Location: The Theatre UBC Robson Square 800 Robson St. Vancouver, BC V6Z 3B7 Register here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gcQ72MMj Let’s work together to make change happen. #Vancouver #Homelessness #PolicySolutions #UrbanGovernance #PublicHealth #HousingCrisis

Today, on 🌎 World Mental Health Day, I want to highlight the 2024 global campaign theme: 📣 It is Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace. 📣 This years theme emphasizes the vital role mental health plays in professional settings. With so many facing burnout, stress, and mental health challenges, creating a supportive workplace has never been more critical. We spend, on average, around a third of our lives at work. This is a key reason Coast Mental Health identified “Healthy Employees” as one of 4 priorities in our new strategy - To create a culture in which everybody feels safe, valued, and included. This theme underscores the need to create work environments that foster psychological safety. When employees feel safe to express themselves without fear of judgment or repercussions, it leads to greater well-being, connection, and performance. Let’s make mental health a top priority by advocating for workplaces where everyone is supported, heard, and empowered to thrive. #WorldMentalHealthDay #WorkplaceWellness #MentalHealthMatters #SupportMentalHealth

95 years old and now homeless for the first time 🤯 Yesterday Global News ran a story about a 95-year-old man who was dropped off at the emergency department of Peace Arch Hospital after being evicted from his independent living residence. It was shocking but highlights an alarming trend in Canada: the lack of affordable housing and health care options for aging individuals. Homelessness among seniors in British Columbia has increased by 39% over the past decade, and in Vancouver, nearly 25% of individuals that are unhoused are now aged 55 or older. Rising housing costs, insufficient pensions, and a lack of affordable housing are pushing more and more seniors into homelessness. Our hospitals, already under pressure, are becoming shelters for those who simply can’t afford to stay in their homes. Things are only likely to get more challenging with people aged 65+ being the fastest-growing demographic group in B.C. By 2036, one in four British Columbians will be a senior. This data underscores the urgent need for stronger social infrastructure, including more affordable housing for seniors. Without urgent action more and more seniors are at risk of falling through the cracks. It's time we stop treating housing as a privilege and start recognizing it as a basic human right—because no 95 year-old senior should ever call a hospital bed or the streets home. #DignityForSeniors #HealthAndHousing #EndHomelessness #CanadaHousingCrisis

“The health care system cannot be called universal if millions cannot find a family doctor. This country does not have universal health care if routine surgical procedures routinely take far longer than the clinical guidelines.”Andre Picard In Canada, we take pride in our health care system, touting it as universal. But can we truly call it universal if nearly 6 million Canadians don’t have access to a family doctor? Is it universal when patients routinely wait 25 weeks or more for medically necessary surgeries, far exceeding clinical guidelines? Despite spending more on health care than ever before—an estimated $344 billion in 2023, representing over 12.2% of Canada’s GDP—outcomes in critical areas are worsening. Other countries, such as Australia, spend about 9.3% of GDP on health care but achieve better results. Australia boasts shorter wait times for surgeries and better access to primary care, as over 86% of Australians report having a regular doctor, compared to about 71% of Canadians. These disparities highlight that more spending alone is not the solution. So, what’s the answer? It’s not just about adding more dollars to the system but rethinking how we invest those dollars. Instead of pouring resources into expensive emergency care, we need to prioritize prevention and investments in social supports. Studies show that investing in preventive health measures can significantly reduce the need for costly acute care. Every $1 spent on mental health promotion and prevention saves $7 in long-term costs, and preventive programs targeting chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension have been shown to save millions by reducing hospital admissions. Countries with stronger social supports and preventive care systems not only save money but also improve population health. By focusing on community-based services, mental health supports, and early interventions, Canada could tackle health issues before they escalate into crises. This shift would not only improve health outcomes but also reduce the strain on our overburdened system. #prevention #socialsupports #mentalhealth

Yesterday Coast Mental Health in partnership with mental health service providers across the province, officially launched #BCWeCare. Our coalition and campaign is focused on raising awareness, driving smart policy, and pushing for stronger investment in community-based mental health care across BC. Almost a million people in BC are currently living with a mental illness or substance use disorder. The challenge isn’t a lack of solutions—it’s the lack of investment. If we want to make a real difference, we need to: ➡️ Close the gap in access to mental health care ➡️ Raise the bar in the quality of care ➡️ Respond with care so that people get the right response at the right time We can’t do this alone, it takes collective action and we need your help. Check out the video and website below and help us amplify it! A big thank you to all of our partners for your support with this launch and to everyone else for helping us make some noise. Together, we can make mental health a priority in BC. #BCWeCare – Visit: BCWeCare.ca Jonny Morris Stacy Ashton Nick Blackman BA/RPN

Last year, 100 people living on the streets of Toronto accounted for thousands of visits to two University Health Network (UHN) emergency departments. But most of these individuals didn’t need stitches or casts—they needed stable housing. This Thursday, UHN takes a bold step in addressing this gap with the opening of Dunn House, a groundbreaking social housing project. Designed to improve the lives of people experiencing homelessness while easing the strain on our healthcare system, Dunn House will provide 51 individuals with the stability they deserve. This project is a testament to the power of housing as a form of healthcare. It’s inspiring to see such innovative solutions addressing both homelessness and the long-term well-being of vulnerable people. Congratulations to everyone involved in making this happen especially Keith Hambly and your team at Fred Victor along with the University Health Network and the amazing advocacy from people like Andrew Boozary MD MPP 👏👏 #SocialMedicine #HealthcareAndHousing #HomelessnessPrevention

I received a handwritten letter yesterday from a client who has been supported by Coast Mental Health for over 40 years—what a powerful reminder of the impact we have as an organization. Is there any better feeling than knowing the work we do truly changes lives? I’m incredibly proud to work for this organization, alongside such a dedicated team, and the countless lives they’ve touched over the years. This letter is a testament to the resilience of our clients and the unwavering commitment of our staff. Moments like this make all the challenges worth it. Here’s to continuing to provide care, support, and hope for those who need it most. #ProudMoment #MentalHealthSupport #CoastMentalHealth #ChangingLives

What an incredible night at the Options Community Services (OCS) Building Hope Gala Concert! It was a true win-win —raising funds for a vital cause like affordable housing, while enjoying a live show by one of Canada’s favourite artists, the amazing Jann Arden. The opening acts, Ranj Singh and the Discriminators and Twin Flames, were fantastic too! Such a great set of performances. A huge thank you to Options for hosting such a fun and meaningful event. I also loved the innovation of a benefit concert rather than the traditional gala—what a great way to bring people together for a cause! #AffordableHousing #JannArden #SurreyBC

“When society allows young people to fall into homelessness, the ripple effects touch us all” Without stable housing, young people exiting foster care are left without the foundation needed for a successful future. The path from couch-surfing to homelessness is dangerously short, and in B.C., nearly half of the respondents in the 2023 Metro Vancouver homelessness count said they first experienced homelessness before age 25. This article makes a strong case for why B.C. urgently needs a dedicated cross-ministerial youth housing strategy that addresses the unique challenges these youth face, such as limited financial and emotional support, discrimination, and lack of rental history. For many, securing stable housing is nearly impossible, leaving them vulnerable to trauma, problematic substance use, and involvement with the justice system. It is also our experience at Coast Mental Health that many young adults we support really struggle to take secure housing necessary to provide stability for their ongoing recovery. It’s time to advocate for a dedicated youth housing strategy that meets their needs and breaks the cycle of homelessness before it starts. #YouthHousing #FosterCare #HomelessnessPrevention