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About This Book

Umbrella street in Belgrade, Serbia
Cover Photo by Matej Duzel, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

This open educational resource was developed by students enrolled in the Addictions and Mental Health graduate certificate program at Fanshawe College as a part of the Field Placement experience. It represents a culmination of their academic and practical learning, integrating research, analysis, and collaborative inquiry.

Created through a team-based approach, this resource explores the complex and interrelated issues of mental health and homelessness in Canada. Drawing on current data, real-world case studies, and evidence-informed practices, the resource offers a comprehensive examination of the challenges faced by individuals affected by homelessness and mental illness.

In addition to highlighting the scope and impact of the crisis, the students provide practical recommendations for intervention, prevention, and systemic change. The resource also includes strategies for raising public awareness, reducing stigma, and promoting social advocacy, all aimed at inspiring action and informing future care practices.

This publication not only contributes to academic discourse but also serves as a meaningful tool for educators, frontline support workers, students, and community organizations working toward equity and support for vulnerable populations

Resource Learning Objectives

By engaging with this resource, learners will be able to:

  1. Describe the current state of mental health and homelessness in Canada, including contributing factors, vulnerable populations, and the impact on individuals and communities.
  2. Analyze the relationship between mental health challenges and housing insecurity, using evidence-informed perspectives and real-world examples.
  3. Evaluate strategies and recommendations for addressing homelessness and improving mental health outcomes, with a focus on prevention, intervention, and support services.
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of the role of advocacy and public awareness in promoting social change, including reducing stigma and supporting inclusive, equitable care practices.

OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT. [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat
Prompt 1: Revise and expand the current version of the book description for improved clarity and completeness
Prompt 2: Create 3 to 4 learning outcomes for the topic based on the book description, as an introduction to the resource

License

Icon for the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License

Shifting Perspectives: Insights into Mental Health and Homelessness Copyright © 2025 by Fanshawe College Field Placement Students is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.