Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario recently participated in an accessibility roundtable discussion hosted by the Deputy Minister — Correctional Services, of the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services (MCSCS).
As part of the consultation, CMHA Ontario also presented the deputy minister with a written submission providing an overview of some key issues in the field of justice, corrections and mental health, including the need for increased mental health services for incarcerated individuals with mental illnesses, the need for continuity of care for mentally disordered offenders upon their release from custody, and the need for mental health accommodation for justice and correctional services staff who experience operational stress injuries and other mental health conditions.
The submission states that by increasing access to mental health services, by raising awareness about mental health issues, and by engaging in intersectoral collaboration, MCSCS can ensure that everyone is able to benefit equitably from the programs, policies and practices within the criminal justice and correctional services systems.
See “Submission to Honourable Jay C. Hope, Deputy Minister — Correctional Services, Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services Accessibility Roundtable,” November 24, 2010, available at www.ontario.cmha.ca/submissions.