Jean Filion introduced Bill Wilkerson, who spoke on the issues of mental illness and emotional distress and their impact on business and economic performance. He explained that depression affects 12 million Canadians each year and that women are twice as likely to express depression as they grow in the workforce and continue to be the principal caregivers in our society. He pointed out that stress disability is leading all other claims and will continue to be a burden on our economic system until the proper research, realization and resource is given to mental disorders.