Healthcare Quarterly
Introduction – Mental Health and the Justice System
“When it comes to mental health all countries can be thought of as developing countries” (Patel et al. 2018). This perspective is even more pronounced in the critical junction of serious mental health disorders and the criminal justice system. As our understanding and tolerance of the human condition evolves, it sheds light on the critical gaps in the health system for this at-most-risk population.
Health leaders and committed practitioners are actively pursuing the knowledge required to navigate the complexities of behaviours influenced by a mental health condition and society's expectations surrounding their management. Their aim is to develop services and advocate for resources that respect the inherent worth of each individual while fostering a healthy society.
In this edition of Healthcare Quarterly, we are pleased to feature articles from leaders in law and justice and practitioners in forensic mental health who generously share their hands-on experiences and insights. They bring us closer to a part of the health system that has far too long been segregated and institutionally isolated from mainstream health, to the detriment of individuals and society. Most importantly, they help us recognize the humanity of a stigmatized and marginalized population facing a health condition that urgently needs collaboration and appropriate care from other sectors of the healthcare system.
We thank our contributors for broadening our understanding of the impact of forensic mental health on individuals and society. It calls for thoughtful comprehension by the health system to make informed decisions about resource allocation and the development of effective services for prevention and early detection. Utilization and length of stay in forensic mental health is an indicator of the overall performance of the health system. It underscores that confining and containing patients because of a lack of community and social services is a fundamentally unjustifiable action for a health service to take. Such an action not only compromises our ethical obligation but also impedes the compassionate care that every individual deserves.
About the Author(s)
Ruby Brown, BScN, MBA, ICD.D, has served in executive roles across multiple provinces and territories. She has spearheaded projects from laying the groundwork for healthcare organizations to navigating complex negotiations between governments and driving innovative advancements in mental health. As a principal of Mandala Management Inc., she offers strategic insights and operational guidance to enhance organizational effectiveness and contributes to government-initiated assessments of healthcare systems. Ruby can be reached by e-mail at ruby@mandalaconsulting.ca.
Anne Wojtak, DrPH, is a senior healthcare leader with more than 20 years of experience in the home and community care sector in Ontario. She is the co-lead for East Toronto Health Partners (Ontario Health Team), has a consulting practice focused on health system strategy and is an adjunct faculty at the University of Toronto in Toronto, ON. Anne can be reached by e-mail at annewojtak@adaptivestrategy.ca.
References
Patel, V., S. Saxena, C. Lund, S.G. Thornicroft, F. Baingana, P. Bolton et al. 2018. The Lancet Commission on Global Mental Health and Sustainable Development. The Lancet 392(10157): 1553–98. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(18)31612-X.
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