by Ryan Fritsch

For larger image: The Need for a Mental Health Strategy

Over the last several months, public consultations on LAO’s Mental Health Strategy have taken place across the province. In almost every meeting – from Kenora to Peterborough, Hamilton to Ottawa – one important concern has been raised consistently: mental health, disability and addictions intersect with every aspect of the justice system, and often, in different ways.

This is particularly true for the clients represented by legal aid lawyers, clinics, and duty counsel. LAO’s low financial eligibility threshold means that 75 per cent of legal aid certificate clients are receiving Ontario Disability Support Program support, Ontario Works, or have no income at all. As many as one in three legal aid certificate clients likely have some kind of mental health or addiction issue.

This infographic tells part of the story about what these needs mean in different areas of law. It shows how adversarial family courts actually make people ill; how the criminalization of mental illness is very common; how a history of trauma plays a major role in youth justice courts; and how prolonged detention contributes to the illness of immigrant and refugee claimants. In many other areas, mental health needs are equally as pervasive and specific.

These may be obvious points, but they have important implications. The multiple and intersecting legal needs of clients demands a legal aid system that is itself holistic, capable of responding to and accommodating the needs of clients with mental health and addictions issues no matter what the issues or access point.

Ryan Fritsch is leading the development of LAO’s Mental Health Strategy.