AnnuAl ConferenCe ProCeedings CAnAdiAn AssoCiAtion for the study of Adult eduCAtion/ l’AssoCiAtion CAnAdiAnne Pour les é’tude de l’éduCAtion des Adults

search team include those with backgrounds in policy, his-tory of education, adult education and mental health nurs-ing, as well as a literacy assessment specialist who acts as a consultant on the project. We also have the participation of the OSSEP program coordinator and manager of the pro-gram who have both helped inform our project and have welcomed our recommendations for improvement of their program framework. With the onset of mental health issues tending to occur be-tween the ages of 18 and 25, the most common years for finishing high school and pursuing post-secondary edu-cation, it is important to consider the best ways in which support for young adults can be designed and provided. In Canada, approximately 10 % of the population aged 15 or older report experiencing some form of mental health is-sue (Statistics Canada, 2013; CAMH, 2013). Mental health issues are a significant barrier to the successful completion of secondary and post-secondary education (Breslau, et al. 2008; Corrigan, et al., 2008; Kessler, et al., 1995; Megivern, et al., 2003), as well as to attaining and maintaining employ-ment. Since even the most basic service-oriented job often requires at least a high school diploma, without access to education, persons living with mental illness face increased risk of depression, unemployment, homelessness and sui