About The Program
CMHA Toronto’s Mental Health Court Support Services supports individuals diagnosed with a serious mental illness who have criminal charges pending at either the Toronto Regional Bail Center (TRBC) or The Ontario Court of Justice- Toronto (OCJ-T). The individuals may be diverted from the court system and instead connected to mental health and community support services.
The program also provides consultations for court service users who do not qualify for diversion, linking them to services to facilitate bail or to assist with sentencing. In addition, the program provides intensive case management where needed, and also offers support to families and information and consultation to lawyers, the judiciary, and probation and bail supervisors.
The purpose of Mental Health Court Support is to connect people with mental health and addictions services, create community linkages to prevent further involvement with the criminal justice system.
Services are offered at:
- The Toronto Regional Bail Center, 2201 Finch Avenue West 1st floor
- The Ontario Court of Justice, 10 Armoury Street 8th floor
Who's It For
Individuals diagnosed with a serious mental illness who have charges pending at either the Toronto Regional Bail Center (TRBC) or The Ontario Court of Justice – Toronto.
How IT Works
- Participation in the program is voluntary and anyone may make a referral, including accused persons, family and/or loved ones, service providers, lawyers, police and the courts.
- Once the referral is accepted, a mental health court worker will meet with the individual to assess their situation and needs and make recommendations about what services could be helpful. This may include a psychiatric assessment and may also include linkages to mental health and other support services.
- The worker will assist the client with accessing the needed services and will continue to provide support until the legal matter is resolved.
REFERRAL INFO
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who are Court Support Services for?
The program is for individuals who:
- are 18 years of age or older
- are living with a serious mental illness
- have been charged with committing a minor offence
- agree to a service care plan
What areas does the program serve?
- For referrals at the Ontario Court of Justice Toronto, send referrals to info@10armourymentalhealth.org; 437-552-9038
- For matters at Toronto Regional Bail Centre (2201 Finch Ave.)., send referrals to info@2201finchmentalhealth.org; 416-745-5775
What services does the program provide?
Court Support Services offers a range of consultative services for clients, family members, service providers, crown and defense counsels, other court personnel, and the judiciary. Consultations may be brief, one-time only, or ongoing in nature.
Brief or one-time only consultations may include:
- Information about mental health services, court procedures, consumer issues, and the mental health system.
Ongoing consultations may include:
- Services to clients who may not meet the criteria for diversion or do not wish to pursue diversion.
- Release plans for bail or sentence which may include assessments, referrals and linkages to community services with the goal of minimizing the risk of future contact with the criminal justice system.
How do I access services?
Participation in the program is voluntary and anyone may make a referral, including accused persons, family and/or loved ones, service providers, lawyers, police and the courts.
- For referrals at the Ontario Court of Justice Toronto, send info@10armourymentalhealth.org; 437-552-9038
- For matters at Toronto Regional Bail Centre (2201 Finch Ave.)., send referrals to info@2201finchmentalhealth.org; 416-745-5775
Once the referral is accepted, a mental health court worker will meet with the individual to assess their situation and needs and make recommendations about what services could be helpful. This includes a psychiatric assessment and may also include linkages to mental health and other support services.
The worker will assist the person with accessing the needed services and will continue to provide support until the legal matter is resolved.
Contact Us
West Office
700 Lawrence Ave W,
Suite #480 Toronto,
ON M6A 3B4
East Office
1200 Markham Rd,
Suite #500 Scarborough,
ON M1H 3C3