News Release
*****************
[NORTH BAY, ON] -
A symposium on mental health law as it relates to children and youth is being hosted by the North Bay Regional
Health Centre(NBRHC) on Tuesday Nov 25, 2014. The symposium will assist the Mental Health & the Law Service at
NBRHC to expand its mandate to include forensic services for youth between the ages of 12-18 starting in January.
The service will see NBRHC undertake assessments to help inform the courts about the influence of mental illness
upon a young person in conflict with the law.
The Osgoode Mental Health Law for Children and Youth symposium will act as a training session by bringing together
people from multiple service sectors to answer the question: how might we work together on improving the care of
children and youth across the Northeast region?
“This symposium is invaluable for us so that in January when we launch our forensic youth service our stakeholders
will understand the service and will be ready to work collaboratively to improve services for youth who have mental
health difficulties and come into conflict with the law,” says Hélène Philbin Wilkinson, Director Dual Diagnosis and
Mental Health & the Law.
Sometimes, the mental health issues faced by children and adolescents express themselves in ways that bring them
into contact with the justice system, which can be a complex legal landscape to navigate. The symposium will cover
important topics on mental health law as they relate to this age group and will provide participants with valuable
take away information and resources to access and put into practice.
The Forensic Services for Youth has had consultation and discussion with regional stakeholders and is funded by the
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and supported by the NELHIN and the NBRHC Project Management Office.
Youth Forensic Service Background
The “Youth Forensic Service” is a regional initiative intended to complement and enhance existing youth justice
services by providing assessments of Fitness to Stand Trial and Criminal Responsibility for the courts as a means of
working with our partners to improve access to the right type of care in the right place and at the right time. The
Youth Forensic Service will be offered through an innovative delivery model designed to minimize any psychosocial
and emotional impacts on the young person while maximizing technology and the principle of closer to home
service. Children and youth will have their forensic assessment completed by a multi-disciplinary team, including both Forensic and Child & Adolescent Psychiatrists, in an individualized and timely manner to expedite the court
process. The service is intended to minimize disruption in their lives, promote community tenure and stability, and
optimize social inclusion. Ultimately this service will result in an alternate care pathway for our young people.
Contact:
Kathy Stackelberg
Sr. Communications Specialist
Email: [email protected]
