In 2015, LAO funded the joint intervention by the Mental Health Legal Committee (MHLC) and the HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario (HALCO) in the judicial review of K.M. v Kodama before the Ontario Divisional Court. A transgender man, K.M., applied to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario alleging that, while providing medical services, Dr. Kodama had […]
Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) released its Mental Health Strategy today, outlining new programs and services to better help clients with mental health or addiction issues. “The launch of this strategy is an important step,” says John McCamus, LAO’s chair. “One in three of LAO’s clients experience mental health or addiction issues. Furthermore, people with mental […]
Infographic: National addictions awareness week 1 in 5 Canadians experiences a mental health or addiction problem in any given year. Addiction is a treatable chronic health condition that affects individuals, families and communities. 3 times to 4 times more likely for Canadians in the lowest income group to report poor to fair mental health than […]
by Colleen Gray The Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth (OPACY) works with young people in the child welfare, youth justice custody settings, or children’s mental health systems. We have tracked calls from young people about their health rights, who have indicated that they are denied personal health and treatment information, feel […]
When: August 10th, 11 am to 4:45 pm Where: Metro Hall, 55 John Street, Toronto, Ontario Toronto – In recognition of International Prisoners’ Justice Day, the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA), Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) and the John Howard Society of Toronto will host several leading legal activists for a day of discussion about mental […]
Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) is partnering with Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Ontario and the Provincial Human Services and Justice Coordinating Committee (P-HSJCC) to create a standard set of intake questions to identify at-risk and high-needs clients and ensure they get the legal supports they need. LAO’s frontline workers, lawyers and clinic staff will be […]
by Sheela Subramanian It’s often assumed that people with disabilities are hyper visible. It’s also often assumed that disability accommodations or accessibility measures are hyper visible, too. For example, when people think about disability and accessibility, they often picture accessible bathrooms, elevators and parking spaces. The reality, of course, is that many disabilities, including mental […]
By Dorina Simeonov When Ontarians call police for help during a mental health crisis, chances are they’ll end-up with a non-conviction police record as a result. Police contact – whether related to criminal activity, a conviction, or a simple by-law complaint or mental health issue – generates information stored in police files and databases. This […]
By Krista Davis and Michele Peterson-Badali It is a comment which, perhaps, is not often heard – or expected – in Ontario’s criminal justice system. “Someone finally cared about us as people…the court encouraged and acknowledged his hard work. The judge said ‘I believe in you’ and congratulated him.” This is just one of many […]
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 […]