Youth Mental Health Court Service of the Youth Therapeutic Court

This service, developed in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and the Ministry of Children and Youth Services, is available to London/Middlesex youth age 16 and older charged with an offence under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. The purpose of the service is to identify and support youth with a diagnosed or suspected serious mental illness, traumatic brain injury or developmental disability. Referrals are accepted at any stage of the court process. The Youth Theraputic Court Clinician conducts an initial screening interview. One possible outcome is a request to the Crown Attorney to divert the youth from the formal court process.

About our service

This program was established to identify and support the mental health needs of youth in the justice system. It is open to youth 16 and older, charged with an offence under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, and with a diagnosed or suspected serious mental illness, traumatic brain injury or developmental disability.

Referrals can be made at any stage of the court process by a young person, a family member, care providers, community agencies, defense/duty counsel or the Crown Attorney's office.

The type of services offered will vary depending on the individual needs of the youth, with input from family members and care providers.

Our goals

The primary goal is to identify the mental health needs of youth involved in the justice system in a timely manner.

We will then be able to facilitate improved access to community based mental health care and work with youth, family members, care providers, defense/duty counsel and the Crown Attorney to develop a treatment plan.

Where appropriate, we support diversion of youth with mental illness out of the formal justice system.

What to expect

Youth referred to the service in London/Middlesex will meet with the youth mental health court worker (a registered social worker) for an initial screening interview.
Youth requiring support for their mental health needs will be offered an extensive evaluation that will include development of a treatment/diversion plan.
For youth already linked to community services, the youth mental health court worker will actively develop connections so that information is shared and treatment plans are collaborative.
In cases where diversion out of the formal justice system is appropriate, and if the youth agrees, a formal request for mental health diversion is made to the Crown Attorney's office. The request included the treatment plan and the young person is asked to agree to the plan as a condition of diversion.
If the Crown Attorney's office accepts a youth for diversion, then the youth mental health court worker will provide outreach services to monitor their progress for a period of one year. Upon successful completion of the one year diversion plan, the charges will be stayed (dropped).

Other ways we help

For youth not linked to a community agency, the youth mental health court worker will provide short-term intensive case management services in order to stabilize youth in crisis.

In cases where diversion is not the best option, the young person still has the opportunity to be linked to community-based mental health services.

When the needs of a youth and the family are complex, a longer assessment is required. In those cases, youth will be referred to the Centre for Children and Families in the Justice System (formerly the London Family Court Clinic).

The Youth Therapeutic Court Clinician is available as a resource in the courts for youth involved in the justice system and their family members, as well as care providers, staff in the Crown Attorney's office and defense/duty counsel.

Some important points

involvement in the service is voluntary
youth will have the opportunity to consent at every stage of the process
the service is open to residents of London and Middlesex County
there is no fee for the service

How to reach us

For more information, contact Mary Kay Arundel.

Referral forms are available from the office of the Crown Attorney. Leave completed forms in the Mental Heath Diversion mail slot.

Our 2009 Conference

About 300 people joined us at the London Convention Centre on April 24, 2009, to recognize the first anniversary of London's Mental Health Court. Information on the program can be found on the Conference Page of this web site.