Cross-Sectoral Think Tank Unites Leaders Across Housing, Mental Health and Justice to Advance Coordinated System Change
- 23 hours ago
- 5 min read
On March 31, 2026, leaders from across Ontario’s mental health, housing, justice and community sectors gathered at CAMH’s Arrell Family Foundation Auditorium for a full‑day Cross‑Sectoral Think Tank focused on strengthening supports for people living at the intersection of these systems.
The event was collaboratively planned by Mental Health Partners, the John Howard Society of Ontario (JHSO) and CAMH, reflecting a shared commitment to advancing integrated, person‑centred solutions.
The day was led by Dr. Treena Wilkie, Chief, Forensic Service and Associate Chief Medical Officer at CAMH, whose opening remarks grounded participants in the purpose of the gathering and the urgency of coordinated action.
The morning’s foundational speakers set the tone for the day’s discussions.
The Hon. Vijay Thanigasalam, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, spoke to the value of strong, accessible mental health and addiction care across Ontario. Reflecting his mandate to advance mental health initiatives and strengthen addiction support systems across the province, he highlighted recent government investments aimed at expanding services, improving continuity of care and supporting communities.
Following the Associate Minister, Assistant Deputy Minister Melanie Mayoh, Health Services, Ministry of the Solicitor General, offered a compelling reflection on the realities at the intersection of justice, mental health and housing. With a longstanding focus on system‑level transformation to improve care for vulnerable populations, she highlighted the necessity of coordinated, cross‑sector leadership and cross-ministry/multi-ministry approaches to confront the complex barriers faced by individuals navigating these interconnected systems.
After ADM Mayoh’s remarks, Sandra Koppert, Director of Mental Health Advancement at the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) and Laura Mullaly, Manager of Mental Health Advancement at MHCC, presented the Commission’s forthcoming National Action Plan on Mental Health and Criminal Justice, outlining its priorities to divert people from the justice system, strengthen mental health supports during involvement, ensure continuity of care post‑release, enhance psychological health and safety for those working in the system and advance the legislative and structural changes needed to improve outcomes across the country.
With the day’s foundation clearly set through the opening remarks, the event moved into a rich panel discussion that brought together leaders representing forensic mental health care, community mental health, restorative justice organizations, and lived experience. Panelists included:
Dr. Sumeeta Chatterjee — Forensic Psychiatrist and Person‑in‑Charge of Forensic Service, CAMH; Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto
Safiyah Husein — Director of Policy, JHSO
Dr. Roland Jones — Forensic Psychiatrist and Medical Head, Forensic Early Intervention Service, CAMH; Associate Professor, Division of Forensic Psychiatry, University of Toronto
Glenda O’Hara — Volunteer Association President, The Royal; Past Chair, Client Advisory Council; lived‑experience advocate
Candace Vena — Director, Human Services and Justice Coordinating Committee and Justice, CMHA Ontario
Moderated by Anthony Esposti, CEO of CAPSA, the panel moved beyond high‑level system observations to examine the real pressures facing people who cycle between hospital, correctional settings and the community. Guided by questions on changing needs, transition gaps, care pathways, housing as health infrastructure and the cultural shifts required for coordinated systems, panelists highlighted where individuals most often fall through the cracks and emphasized the need for practical, dignity‑centred solutions that strengthen continuity of care and collaboration across sectors.
Next, two partnership presentations showcased concrete, collaborative models that bridge health, housing and justice in practical, scalable, person‑centred ways:
John Howard Society of Ottawa and The Royal, presented by Jeff Hickman, Residential Coordinator, Lebreton Transitional Rehabilitation Housing Program, highlighted the Lebreton Transitional Rehabilitation Housing Program—a model designed to support individuals with complex mental health and substance use needs as they transition from forensic settings back into the community. Hickman emphasized the importance of trauma‑informed, psychologically safe environments, wrap‑around supports and structured pathways that reduce cycling between hospital, custody and homelessness, demonstrating how targeted transitional housing can create stability and support reintegration.
Indwell and St. Joseph’s Health Care London, presented by Natasha Thuemler, Executive Director, Indwell and Kent Lewis, Director, Southwest Centre for Forensic Mental Health Care, St. Joseph’s Health Care London, shared the vision and design of Coves Landing, a permanent supportive housing development currently under construction in London, Ontario. The project will include 43 permanent supportive housing units and seven secure apartments for individuals with dual diagnoses, supported by a network of partners including the Forensic Dual Diagnosis Engagement Team, the Forensic Outreach Team, Developmental Services Ontario,
and 24/7 support from Developmental Services Worker providers. Thuemler and Lewis highlighted the “ingredients for collaborative success”—shared purpose, aligned resources and intentional co‑location of services—and described how the model integrates daily programming, addiction support, group therapy and on‑site security. They also emphasized anticipated outcomes related to housing stability, effective service delivery and the scalability of this collaborative approach.
Together, these presentations offered concrete examples of what becomes possible when organizations align around shared goals and shared clients.
After lunch, Shawn Fisk, Education and Partnership Lead, CAPSA, outlined the World Café process, inviting participants into rotating, small‑group conversations focused on the most pressing system‑level challenges, with the four topics being:
Integrated Care Pathways and System Navigation
Responding to Complexity: Mental Health, Substance Use and Social Needs
Stigma, Lived Experience & Advocacy
Policy, Housing and System Capacity
Each table was facilitated by the following sector advocates:
Dr. Christopher Canning, Director of Research and Academics, Waypoint Research Institute; Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto
Sunny Dhillon, Director of Innovation and Impact, John Howard Society of Ontario
Krishni Ganesan, Director of Policy and System Transformation, Addictions and Mental Health Ontario
Safiyah Husein, Director of Policy, JHSO
Dr. Maryana Kravtsenyuk, Forensic Psychiatrist, CAMH
Glenda O’Hara, Volunteer Association President, The Royal
Roslyn Shields, Senior Policy Advisor, Strategy, Corporate Planning and Partnerships, CAMH
Shawn Fisk, Education and Partnership Lead, CAPSA
Across the tables, several shared insights consistently emerged. Participants highlighted the steep cliff individuals face at the point of incarceration release and hospital discharge, the destabilizing impact of fragmented digital and clinical systems and the absence of standardized care pathways across institutions. They emphasized the need for coordinated discharge planning, integrated housing and health supports and funding models that follow the person rather than the program. Conversations also underscored the importance of embedding lived and living experience in system design, redefining success beyond recidivism, strengthening cross‑sector relationships, and adopting more person‑centred language when referring to individuals in the system as the foundation for sustainable change.
After a brief group polling exercise revealed a shared priority around pursuing integrated care pathways and system navigation—supported by ongoing knowledge exchange and learning collaboratives—the day concluded with the return of the panel moderated by Anthony Esposti. Esposti guided speakers in reflecting on the insights generated throughout the event and the work ahead. Across discussions, a clear message resonated: meaningful change will depend on sustained partnership, shared accountability and a commitment to centring the voices of those most affected by system gaps. The day closed with a collective commitment to continue this conversation and advance the priority opportunities identified throughout the session.
