The purpose of Mental Health Diversion is to assist people who are considered appropriate for diversion to access and use mental health and other services and supports. The referral for Mental Health Diversion is made with the approval of the provincial Crown Attorney.
The Mental Health Court Worker (MHCW) will arrange to meet with the person to assess his or her situation and needs. This will include an assessment of the person's mental health status, their current living situation, available supports and linkages to psychiatric and other services.
Following the assessment, the MHCW will make recommendations to the person about what services might be appropriate for the development of the diversion plan, and obtain the approval of the provincial Crown Attorney. The plan could include psychiatric assessment and treatment, securing resources to meet their basic needs (shelter, food, clothing) and finding short-term or long-term community supports. The MHCW and the person will agree to a plan, which is acceptable to the provincial Crown Attorney. The MHCW will assist the person to access and use the identified services and supports, and provide short-term support.
Services offered may include:
1. Mental Health Diversion
This is for persons:Who have a serious mental health problem/mental illness; Who have been charged with committing a low risk offense; Who accept mental health diversion Who are approved for diversion by the provincial Crown Attorney.
2. Consultation for people who are not deemed suitable for diversion.
3. Linking people to short and long-term services and supports.
4. Support and information for family members and significant others.
5. Education about consumer issues, mental illness, mental health services and the mental health system.
6. Consultation and advice to the judiciary on cases referred for disposition.
Courts - Toronto - Service Providers
College Park - Ontario Court of Justice:
CRCT (Court Support Worker) Room 266 Tel: 416 598-8103 CRCT (Court Support Worker) Room 265 Tel: 416 598-8108 Fax: 416 598-3495 Metro West - Ontario Court of Justice:
CMHA - West Toronto (Court Support Worker) Tel: 416 314-3408 Fax: 416 314-5765 Metro North Ontario Court of Justice:
COTA (Court Support Worker) Tel: 416 667-0933 Fax: 416 667-1084 Old City Hall Ontario Court of Justice & Consolidated Mental Health Courts
CRCT (Court Support Workers) Room 20 - Tel: 416 364-8394 Fax: 416 364-3671 CRCT (Court Case Manager) Room 20 - Phone and Fax: Same as above CRCT (Program Manager - Court) Room 20 - Phone and Fax: Same as above Metro East - Ontario Court of Justice:
CMHA - East Toronto (Court Support Worker) Tel: 416 285-4177 Fax: 416 285-1663
Anyone may make a referral - the individual who has been charged, family or friends, police, crown attorney, defense counsel, judge, community agencies, etc.
These services are funded by the Ministry of Health and delivered in co-operation with the Ministry of the Attorney General. There is no cost to the user.
*Similar Court Support Services are available outside of Toronto
To view the colour brochure for the Mental Health Court Support Services Program in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format click here.
366 Adelaide St. East Suite 230,
Toronto, Ontario M5A 3X9
Tel: (416) 482-4103 Fax: (416) 482-5237
E-mail: crct@crct.org
