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The
Law and Mental Health Program
(formerly Forensics)
The Law and Mental Health Program provides a comprehensive and integrated forensic
psychiatric service that is consistent with the vision and core values of the Centre
for Addition and Mental Health and with provincial directions. The program provides
a continuum of care that includes assessment, treatment rehabilitation, security
management, community supervision, consultation and speciality services.
Contact: Ms Shirley Pullan,
Administrative Director  (416) 535-8501, ext. 2177,
Diana Shea, Administrative Secretary,
(416) 535-8501, ext. 2898.
Fax at Queen St. site: (416) 583-4319
Dr. Howard Barbaree,
Clinical Director, (416) 535-8501,
ext. 2919 or 4274 (Clarke site),
Ms Avril Kennedy, Administrative Secretary,
(416) 535-8501, ext. 2937 or 4066
(Clarke site).
Fax at Clarke site: (416) 979-6965
Location: Queen Street Site, Unit 3;
Clarke site - 4th floor
Assessment and Triage Unit (formerly
METFORS)
The medium-secure inpatient unit provides and supports a multidisciplinary forensic
assessment of individuals facing a variety of charges under the Criminal Code. The
assessments predominately are in relation to criminal "fitness" to stand
trial and issues of criminal responsibility. However, the mandate of the program
extends to assessing individuals convicted of various crimes and providing opinions
related to pre-sentence evaluation as well as providing opinions regarding psychiatric
criteria for Dangerous and Long-term Offender Applications under the Criminal Code.
In addition, the program also provides limited beds for provision of psychiatric
treatment for patients deemed "unfit" by the judicial system and placed
on judicial Treatment Orders.
Referral required: The majority of patients admitted to the program
are in custody and patients are only admitted as a result of a judicial order.
Contact: Unit receptionist or Robin Nicholas,
Program Manager: (416) 535-8501, ext. 2962.
Fax: (416) 583-4327
Location: Queen Street site, Unit 3-4 and 3-5
Assessment and Triage Unit (formerly METFORS)
Brief Assessment Unit / Mental Health Court
The Brief Assessment Unit (BAU) primarily provides a consultative, time-limited
psychiatric competency assessment, usually related to forensic "fitness"
issues for adult offenders. Its primary referral sources are suburban courts within
the Greater Toronto Area not otherwise served by mental health forensic resources.
One session per month is dedicated to forensic psychiatric assessments of individuals
facing charges under the Young Offenders Act. Assessments of Young Offenders may
also include a detailed psychological assessment/ evaluation, depending upon presenting
issues.
On-site psychiatric staff also provides brief assessments of competency/"fitness"
to the Mental Health Court at Old City Hall, Toronto. Verbal opinions regarding forensic
issues and fitness are presented in the court environment immediately following psychiatric
assessment. ATU staff provides administrative support to this program.
Referral required: Psychiatric consultations are based on a court-based
judicial order
Contact: Unit receptionist: (416) 535-8501,
ext. 2962
or Robin Nicholas, Program Manager,
(416) 535-8501, x 2967.
Fax: (416) 583-4327,
Location: Queen Street site, Unit 3 - 4th floor; Mental Health
Court - Old City Hall, 60 Queen St West, Toronto
Ontario Review Board (ORB) Coordination/Liaison
All matters pertaining to the admission, movement, transfer and discharge of ORB
patients are coordinated and tracked by the Liaison Office. Other delegated functions
of the Liaison Office are: the scheduling of ORB hearings, ensuring that hospital
reports to the ORB meet specific requirements and are processed in a timely fashion
and representing the Administration of the Centre at hearings. The Liaison Office
staff provides information to both internal staff (as well as outside agency staff)
regarding the legal requirements relating to the detention and treatment of patients
under the auspices of the ORB. Participating in Centre-wide staff educational sessions
regarding the management of forensic patients is ongoing. Coordination of these tasks
includes developing contacts at various courts, (mental health workers, duty counsels,
transportation staff) liaising with legal counsels, the office of the Crown Attorney
and the staff at the ORB.
Referral required: Individuals accepted into the Law and Mental Health Program
are ordered to this facility by virtue of various types of court orders such as Treatment
Orders, and Assessment or Detention orders in compliance with the Criminal Code of
Canada. As such, there is no referral beyond an order of a Judge. Assessments are
carried out within the parameters of the judicial system only. Screening for appropriate
level of security is undertaken in consultation with legal counsel and medical personnel
by the staff of the Liaison Office. Self-referrals or referrals from sources other
than a court are not accepted.
Contact information: The service can be accessed by telephone,
fax or e-mail. Administrative Secretary, Sarah Weinstein,
(416) 535-8501, ext. 2491.
Fax: (416) 583-4327 or (416) 583-4319
E-Mail: sarah_weinstein@camh.net
Toni Sahay, Manager, (416) 535-8501, ext.
2941.
Fax: (416) 583-4327 or (416) 583-4319
E-Mail:toni_sahay@camh.net
Location: Queen Street Site, Unit 3 - 4th floor
Medium Secure Forensic Unit
The two Medium Secure Forensic Units (MSFU) are located at the Queen Street Site
in Unit 3, 2nd and 3rd floors. Each MSFU is a 20-bed unit with patients staying,
on average, one to two years. The program provides treatment, care and rehabilitation
for patients under the Ontario Review Board (ORB).
Patients ordered to this unit by the ORB are categorized as either Not Criminally
Responsible (NCR) or Unfit. All patients have disposition orders from the ORB detaining
them on a Medium Secure Forensic Unit at the Queen Street Site of the CAMH.
Patients are admitted with the goal of being rehabilitated and, when permitted,
transferred to an alternate general forensic program in accordance with the patients'
disposition orders from the ORB.
The treatment, care and rehabilitation needs of each forensic patient are undertaken
with due regard to public safety and the special needs of the patient, within the
least onerous and restrictive framework.
Care and service delivery functions on the MSFU are carried out within a multidisciplinary
team model (primary nursing/case co-ordination). Where appropriate and consistent
with the therapeutic goals, patients and families/significant others should be involved
in the planning of rehabilitation and the formulation of treatment goals.
A variety of programs have been developed on the MSFU to meet the treatment, care
and rehabilitation needs of the patients and to facilitate their reintegration into
the community. For example, core forensic programs such as:
- relapse prevention
- anger management
- symptom management
- medication awareness
- substance abuse
- stress management and
- life skills programs
are recommended for individual patients.
Referral required: Yes, patients are required to have a medium
secure order from the Ontario Review Board. Please contact the Manager, Liaison Office,
(416) 535-8501, ext. 2880 or 2941.
Contact: Ms Shirley Pullan, Administrative Director,
(416) 535-8501, ext 2177,
Dr. Howard Barbaree, Clinical Director,
(416) 535-8501, ext. 2919,
Ms Tenzing Banigian, Program Manager,
(416) 535-8501, ext. 1112.
Fax: (416) 583-4319
Location: Queen Street site,
Unit 3- 2nd floor and 3rd floor
Outpatient Service
The Outpatient Service provides clinical treatment and management of individuals
who are under the jurisdiction of the Ontario Review Board with Disposition orders
supporting residency in the community. The program attempts to reintegrate forensic
patients into the community while managing the risk that these individuals present
to public safety. This goal is met through psychiatric treatment, case management
and the treatment of criminogenic risk factors.
Referral required: This program is open to patients under the jurisdiction
of the Ontario Review Board. A referral package is available.
Contact: Mr. Jim McNamee, MSW,
Program Manager (416) 535-8501, ext.
2491,
Administrative Secretary's office
(416) 535-8501, ext. 2893
Location: Queen Street Site,
Unit 1- Ground floor, South Pod
Minimum Secure Rehabilitation
Unit (1-2)
The Minimum Secure Rehabilitation Unit of the Law and Mental Health Program provides
rehabilitation services and risk management to 30 co-ed patients on an inpatient
basis. All patients are admitted under the Criminal Code of Canada, (i.e., patients
have been found Not Criminally Responsible, Unfit to Stand Trial or have Treatment
Orders).
The goal of the program is to provide effective clinical treatment and risk management
to patients so that optimal functioning is maintained and the likelihood of successful
reintegration into the community is increased.
Referral required: All admissions to the Minimum Secure Rehabilitation
Unit are coordinated by the Liaison Office, (4160 535-8501, ext. 2419.
Contact: Senior Clinician, (416) 535-8501,
ext. 2648 or 6835, Ms. Lyn Watkin-Merek, Program Manager (416) 535-8501,
ext. 2978
Location: Queen St. Site, Unit 1- 2nd Floor
Open Rehabilitation Unit (1-3)
The Open Rehabilitation Unit of the Law and Mental Health Program provides rehabilitation
services and risk management to 31 co-ed patients on an inpatient basis. All patients
are admitted under the Criminal Code of Canada, (i.e., patients have been found Not
Criminally Responsible, Unfit to Stand Trial or have Treatment Orders).
The goal of the program is to provide effective clinical treatment and risk management
to patients so that optimal functioning is maintained and the likelihood of successful
reintegration into the community is increased.
Referral required: All admissions to the Open Rehabilitation Unit
are coordinated by the Liaison Office, Administrative Secretary,
(416) 535-8501, ext. 2491
Contact: Senior Clinician, ext. 2542,
Mr. Jim McNamee, MSW,
Program Manager, (416) 535-8501, ext.
2491
Location: Queen St. Site, Unit 1- 3rd Floor
Secure Observation and Treatment
Unit (SOTU)
Provides short-term inpatient care for adults requiring hospitalization for the
treatment of psychotic disorders, mood disorders, substance abuse, and personality
disorders. SOTU is a 16-bed secure unit capable of providing care for individuals
who require a high level of observation due to imminent risk of harm to themselves
or others.
Referral required: Through the CAMH emergency department.
(416) 535-8501, ext. 7543
Location: Queen St. Site, Unit 3, Main Floor
Specialty Clinics
The Specialty Clinics include the Anger Management Clinic, the Gender Identity
Clinic, the Impulsivity Clinic, the Sexual Behaviours Clinic, the Psycho-legal Clinic
and the Kurt Freund Phallometric Lab. Each of the clinics provides outpatient assessments
and treatment.
Each clinic has its own intake procedure and referral criteria. Assessments for
individuals who have outstanding legal charges are not covered by OHIP and need to
be privately funded. Clinics should be contacted directly regarding referral processes:
Anger Management Clinic
(416) 535-8501, ext. 6103
Gender Identity Clinic
(416) 535-8501, ext. 4077
www.camh.net/mental_health/gender_identity_clinic.html
Impulsivity Clinic
(416) 535-8501, ext. 6833
Psycho-legal Clinic
(416) 535-8501, ext. 6347
Sexual Behaviours Clinic
(416) 535-8501, ext. 4886
Contact: Program Manager
(416) 535-8501, ext. 4080
Location: Clarke site, 4th floor
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