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    Home > What We Do > Mental Health and the Justice System
    Mental Health and the Justice System

    Mental Health and the Justice System

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    Overview|Resources

    What is the issue?

    Mental health problems and illnesses among persons involved in the criminal justice system remain substantially higher than in the general population — a discrepancy that is also increasing.

    Persons who are justice-involved and living with mental health problems and illnesses face a variety of challenges that can worsen their mental health. Incarceration experiences and stressors can intensify existing conditions, create new ones, and hinder recovery and healing. Among these stressors are

    • being isolated from their community supports and services upon incarceration
    • facing inadequate or unavailable mental health services in corrections facilities (e.g., fragmented, not culturally safe or trauma informed)
    • having to rely on segregation and pharmacology as the primary means of intervention
    • grappling with stigma, discrimination, and systematic exclusion from employment, housing, and health services after their discharge.

    What are we doing?

    We are helping to further a broad range of initiatives to support the mental health needs of persons involved in the criminal justice system. These initiatives seek to

    • mobilize key stakeholders and engage with persons who have lived experience
    • disseminate best practices
    • promote evidence-based research
    • identify strategies to improve services and supports that address their mental health needs.

    As part of this work, we offer a growing range of resources:

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    Mental Health and Justice Infographic

    Some quick facts on mental illness among persons who are justice involved.  

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    The Mental Health Needs of Justice-Involved Persons

    A rapid scoping review, developed in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association, that looks into existing research and policies on the mental health needs of persons who are justice involved. It seeks to guide the development of future research and policy by highlighting what is known and where gaps remain.

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    Mental Health and the Criminal Justice System: “What We Heard”

    A report summarizing key themes from the rapid scoping review, key informant interviews, and a national survey. It summarizes the main challenges and opportunities on improving mental health for persons who are justice involved and highlights the specific mental health needs of priority populations.

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    TEMPO: Police Interactions

    A national framework for police training and education, created in partnership with the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police. It is designed to help police officers recognize mental health problems and illnesses and respond appropriately and empathically.

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    The National Trajectory Project

    An MHCC-sponsored program that traced the path of persons declared not criminally responsible due to a mental disorder through mental health and criminal justice systems in Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia. Its objectives included exploring the profiles of those accused, the operation of criminal justice provisions, and the mental health and criminal outcomes.

    The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) created a number of resources to help reduce the over-representation of people with mental illnesses in the criminal justice system. Click on the links below for more information.

    Key Initiatives

    The National Trajectory Project
    The National Trajectory Project

    Less than 1 in 10 of people deemed not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder (NCR) commit or attempt homicides or sexual offences according to the National Trajectory Project (the largest known study in Canada). Forensic experts from Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia analyzed 1800 NCR cases between May 2000 and April 2005, including a three-year follow-up review. They found low recidivism rates and a diverse history of clinical diagnoses and offences for the NCR population studied. Detailed findings are now available in six articles published in the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry.

    LEARN MORE
    TEMPO: Police Interactions
    TEMPO: Police Interactions

    A report towards improving interactions between police and people living with mental health problems

    LEARN MORE
    First Responders
    First Responders

    First responders form a unique and resilient workforce, able to cope with some of society’s most complex and critical situations. As such, tools, resources and programs must be adapted for the unique culture and operational realities of first responder organizations.

    READ MORE
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    Resources

    pdf
    Mental Health and Justice Infographic
    132.42 kB
    pdf
    Mental Health and the Criminal Justice System: ‘What We Heard’ - Evidence Summary Report
    551.62 kB
    pdf
    National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace - Backgrounder
    122.60 kB
    pdf
    Psychological Health and Safety: An Action Guide For Employers
    773.55 kB
    pdf
    Psychological Safety and the Law in the Canadian Workplace - The Shain Reports - One Page Overview
    142.29 kB

    Related Initiatives

    The Working Mind First Responders
    Reducing stigma and increasing resiliency in first responders
    Learn more
    Mental Health First Aid for Police
    A course to help improve police interactions where mental health may be an issue
    Learn more

    Multimedia

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    Louise Bradley's speech to the Canadian Association of Police Boards Annual General Meeting (Full)

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