On November 26, 2024, Mental Health Partners (MHP) hosted a pivotal Awareness Day at Queen’s Park in collaboration with the Forensic Directors Group of Ontario (FDG), meeting with over 20 cabinet ministers, MPPs and members of the public service to discuss critical issues facing Ontario’s forensic mental health care system.
We chose forensic mental health care as our focus for the day given it is still one of the most misunderstood and stigmatized aspects of the health care system. We need to put a spotlight on people who are in the forensic mental health care system – a unique patient population that is rarely discussed and seldom, if ever, understood.
During our discussions, we highlighted urgent challenges, including:
The need for high-support housing solutions to help forensic patients reintegrate back into the community.
The rising demand for forensic mental health care services, compounded by increasing patient acuity and systemic pressures.
The growing shortage of forensic psychiatrists.
To build capacity for our forensic mental health care system – and the mental health care system more broadly – and to improve patient outcomes, we proposed the following solutions:
Enhanced funding for wraparound supportive housing models.
Support to address Health Human Resources challenges in forensic psychiatry.
Equitable base funding increases for Divested Provincial Psychiatric Hospitals.
These discussions are a critical step toward meaningful change, ensuring that
individuals at the intersection of mental health and the justice system receive the care and support they deserve. Thank you to all those who met with us for your time and support.
The day concluded with an evening reception which brought together health care leaders, elected officials, members of the public service and stakeholders to discuss opportunities to make improvements to our forensic mental health care system. Emceed by Karim Mamdani, President and CEO, Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences and Chair, MHP, guests heard encouraging remarks from the Honourable Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, the Honourable Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, MPP Joel Harden on behalf of the NDP, MPP Adil Shamji, Liberal Health Critic and MPP Aislinn Clancy representing the Green Party. Glenda O’Hara, Chair, Client Advisory Council at The Royal and a person with lived experience, shared her experience in the forensic mental health care system and the importance of humanizing the individuals in its care.
Displays around the room provided guests with the opportunity to learn about some of the vocational programs at our forensic mental health care hospitals that are designed to create the best possible outcomes for patients.
MHP and FDG were acknowledged in the legislature by the Hounorable Jill Dunlop, Minister of Education, MPP Teresa Armstrong, NDP Critic, Child Care, Pensions and Vice-Chair, Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy and MPP Jennifer (Jennie) Stevens, NDP Critic, Solicitor General. To read the transcript, click here.
Thank you to everyone who joined us in amplifying these critical issues. Together, we can build a stronger, more compassionate forensic mental health care system for Ontario.