History

When Rosemary and Keith Hamilton's son was diagnosed with mental illness, their lives were forever changed. It was not only changed by the fact that their son had a mental illness but also by the discovery that there were a lack of resources to help young people with mental illness reengage with life and society. Their son did well once on medication but was clearly socially disconnected. Even though Dr. Hamilton was an esteemed member of the medical community he could not find the resources that his son needed. They sought the help of professionals in the community to provide the "social physiotherapy" that would help their son get back on his feet. Even during this challenging time in their lives, they thought about how difficult it must be for others in the community without the access to the resources that they had.

Rosemary's mother, Norah Laing, had suffered in silence from schizophrenia. With amazing fortitude, she worked as a nurse during World War II. It was an era when mental illness came with terrible stigma. When Norah Laing died in 1999, her family learned of a surprise inheritance. The Hamilton's wanted to ensure that other youth with mental illness had a support centre that focused on their individual array of talents and strengths while they navigated their path to recovery. Along with friends and colleagues, they did research in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America to create a model that would achieve these goals. The focus was to help young people with mental illness 'one day at a time, one person at a time'. Following the mantra of Rosemary's mother who believed that every child deserved friends, a job and a community, Rosemary and Keith decided to use the inheritance to open Laing House. With its unique peer support model, it remains the only organization of its kind in Canada.

Rosemary and Keith Hamilton bought the Victorian home on South Barrington Street in which Laing House offers its programming and opened the doors in 2001. They fully funded it for two years. Their perseverance resulted in a self-sufficient organization that currently has a budget of $750,000. Funding sources now include the Department of Health, United Way, corporations, foundations, grants, individual donations and a signature special event. They continue to be members of the Board of Directors - generous of time, spirit, and resources.

Through their generosity, the community has a resource for youth with mental illness that is accessed by youth in Atlantic Canada. The Hamilton's support the creation of programs that endeavour to break down the stigma surrounding mental illness. More than 300 youth with mental illness, 16-30 years, have accessed Laing House programs and the current membership is 100. Without their vision and action, youth with mental illness would not have a place to access peer support, education, employment, independent living, and socio-recreational programs that are tailored to their needs. Our founders are truly the foundation of Laing House.