It has been about three years since that horrific day on December 18, 2022, when our nation’s worst case of mass shooting in a condo community occurred at the Bellaria Residences condominium tower in Vaughan. Five people, most of them condo board directors, were executed in cold blood. Years after the tragic shootings and the aftermath, I’ve spoken to directors and unit owners about their emotions and thoughts on the matter and without hesitation, they jointly expressed fear and anxiety regarding potential safety concerns in their condo community. Before the tragic event, almost in a flippant and half-serious manner, many residents had mentioned that there is at least one person in their respective community whose mental health they would question or challenge. After December 18, this is no longer a common conversation starter as genuine concerns have taken center stage. Mental health concerns, as studies have shown, have affected the welfare of condo community living. In light of the current provincial-wide discussion about mental health and its potential impact on condominium safety, let’s examine how mental health affects community operations and the quality of life in a safe environment.  

Identifying & Understanding Concerns

It is essential for property managers and management firms to understand and ultimately recognize different types of mental health concerns in the condo community. Passive owners, aggressive owners, silent owners and vocal owners exist. The diverse range of mental health issues existing in condominiums include unit owners and residents experiencing the following:
•    Anxiety: residents with anxiety can experience a variety of conditions, from mild anxiety to severe forms of it. Depending on this, there are different impacts on their behavior and ability to live within the community.
•    Dementia: this affliction is commonly present in condo communities with an older or aging ownership.  
•    Depression: there are different triggers for depression whether it be internal or through external factors.
•    Schizophrenia: this concern is difficult to ascertain due to privacy.  
•    Hoarding: this is when a collection of excessive belongings in a unit fester and accumulate; it is a safety hazard that creates tension and conflict with neighbouring residents. Hoarding is considered a top concern in condo communities across the province. Many factors contribute to why residents succumb to hoarding.  

If these concerns are ignored or dismissed, they will undoubtedly morph into disruptive behaviours by the resident and affect the peace and enjoyment of other unit owners and residents. Not to mention presenting challenges for the board of directors and the property manager who are working to manage various situations. There is a fine line and a balancing act involved due to the absolute necessity of respecting the privacy and human rights of those with mental health concerns. 

Key Points About Mental Health Concerns in Condominiums

The impact on condo community living and management can be severe if mental health matters are not properly addressed. This may include disruptive behaviours such as excessive noise and erratic behaviour in the community that affect neighbours. The number 1 challenge for property managers is finding the balance between addressing disruptive behaviour and respecting the privacy and rights of residents with mental health concerns, while complying with the judicial mandate. Because of this, condominiums must comply with the Human Rights Code, which may require accommodations for residents with mental health conditions, depending on the severity and impact on others. 

Common concerns related to mental health in condominiums include constant harassment and, for the community in general, noise complaints due to excessive loudness, erratic behaviour resulting in loud arguments and late-night disturbances affecting the community. Hygiene issues arise when pests and vermin enter units or when residents neglect personal hygiene and create unsanitary conditions. Threatening behaviour exists in condo communities and must not be accepted on any level, including verbal aggression, intimidation, or threats towards unit owners. Property damage is the most visible impact on condos, whether it be deliberate damage to common element areas or unit owners’ exclusive use areas and property. 

Effectively Improving Communication 

Communication lines and channels between condominium owners with mental health concerns and managers require a fine and delicate line of empathy with structured awareness when addressing matters at hand. Strategies may include:
•    Encouraging a condo culture of compassion: at board meetings and during conversations with unit owners, review policies that help property managers and owners interact with respect, empathy, and understanding.
•    Training: suggest mental health awareness training from organizations like ACMO and CCI for the purpose of helping management, directors and owners for the goal of recognizing signs of distress with adequate follow-up.
•    Improve channels to accommodate different comfort levels: offer various communication options such as email, phone, virtual meetings, and written notices. 
•    Simplification: use clear, concise, and jargon-free language in all communications to avoid misunderstandings.

Points & Reminders of How Not to Help

When assisting condominium owners with mental health concerns and difficulty communicating, it’s imperative to gauge situations with legal awareness, respect and empathy. Here are some key don’ts:
•    Diagnose and provide therapy sessions: condominium managers are not mental health professionals and should avoid making assumptions or offering unsolicited advice about various concerns encountered.  
•    Dismissing concerns and labelling owners as ‘crazy’ must be treated as a stereotypical assertion from the past. Even if the issue makes zero sense to you, it could be significant to the unit owner. Minimizing or invalidating concerns is not helpful and may come back to the manager if not dealt with appropriately. To simplify further, do not make decisions predicated on bias.  
•    Arguing thus escalating conflicts; managers must remain professional when the owner becomes aggressive. When reasoning and communication break down, pause the conversation and readdress it.  

Effective Solutions to Consider 

Finding solutions to mental health concerns as a one-size-fits-all narrative is not possible. Each condo and each owner is unique. Condominium owners require a universal collective approach that includes access to resources, neighbourly support, and a reasonable approach within the community. Effective solutions to consider:
•    Encouraging the use of common areas can help foster a supportive and connected community environment. This sense of community is best developed at the grassroots level—through resident involvement rather than solely relying on management or the condo board. One approach could be to designate specific days for residents to gather in shared spaces such as gardens, green areas, or libraries within the complex. Community-building initiatives like garden committees can further promote cooperation and a sense of shared living. Additional activities, such as wellness workshops, social events, or fitness classes, can also help reduce isolation and strengthen resident connections.
•    Reaching out to ACMO and CCI to promote mental health awareness programs. This will help with understanding and reduce stigma through seminars, newsletters, and educational materials. 
•    Ensure access to professional and government resources is shared.  
•    Request partnerships with mental health professionals: collaborate with therapists, counsellors, or local mental health organizations to provide on-site services or referrals.

Someone once said that it “takes a village…”  Nothing is truer in tackling the challenges of mental health than it takes a condo community. 

Bill Lang is a Property Manager with Krall Property Management.  To accomplish various projects and major initiatives, he enjoys expanding communication lines between condo directors, owners, professionals and trades.  He possesses a wealth of experience in property management and consulting.  ACMO educational courses/seminars have helped Bill tremendously in achieving success in the industry.  His fifth article published for CM Magazine is an honour as he is interested in assisting new members to the industry.
www.krallpm.ca
 

View PDF View Flipbook Back to Latest Issue