Mental Health Courts - A Judicial Roundtable

Mental Health Courts vary in structure and operation. A judicial panel will discuss some issues arising from the operation of Mental Health Courts and share some ideas on how to optimize outcomes.

Panelists

Justice Richard Schneider

Appointed to the Bench in 2020. Was one of the organizers of the first mental health court in North America. Seconded to Chair the Ontario Review Board in 2012

Justice Craig Sigurdson

Justice Craig Sigurdson started his career in the Ontario government, at age 18, as a correctional officer in a maximum security institution. He then served as a social worker at the London Psychiatric Hospital and also worked as the Senior Officer in-Charge at the Child and Parent Resource Institute, a government-operated children’s mental health facility.

Justice Craig Sigurdson was the prosecutor responsible for the mental health court in St. Thomas, where he had the privilege of appearing before his co-panelist, Justice Donald. Justice Craig Sigurdson is one of the designated judges who presides in both the mental health and drug treatment courts in Kitchener.

Justice Glen Donald

Justice Glen Donald was appointed to the Ontario Court of Justice in 2018 to preside in St. Thomas (where Justice Craig Sigurdson was then an ACA). Justice Donald was called to the bar in 2002.  Justice Donald was a defense lawyer who spent a lot of time defending police officers – his experiences there made it plain that Mental Health does not discriminate about those it impacts. There was an operating Mental Health Court when Justice Donald arrived in St. Thomas.  Justice Donald “took over” in 2019 and made some adjustments. Justice Donald kept it going through the pandemic without interruption.

Mobile Outreach and Support Teams (MOST)

Mobile Outreach and Support Teams (MOST) are made up of practitioners trained to support persons with mental health challenges. Police Chief Herridge of the St Thomas Police Service will describe how the MOST program serves as a vehicle for increased collaboration between law enforcement and treatment providers towards more optimum outcomes.

Chief Chris Herridge started his career as a cadet with the St. Thomas Police on February 26th, 1989.

After nearly a decade of dedicated service on general patrol, in the traffic unit and in the training branch, Chris began to climb the ranks. Chris was promoted to Sergeant (1998), then Staff Sergeant (1999). During this time, he supervised several departmental units including general patrol, criminal investigations and support services. In June of 2013, his career advanced again taking a turn to the administrative side of policing with a promotion to Inspector followed by Staff Inspector in 2017.

Chris Herridge was appointed Acting Chief of Police June 1st, 2017 and officially took over as Chief of the St. Thomas Police Service on January 1st, 2018.

Chief Herridge is committed to lifelong learning and over the years has received a Diploma in Police Sciences, Certificate in Human Resources Management and a Degree in Bachelor of Policing. He is also a graduate of the Rotman Police Executive Leadership Program, University of Toronto. Chief Herridge is also a recipient of the Police Exemplary Medal.

Megan Smythe is a Registered Social Worker with a Bachelor of Social Work from King’s University College, she is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work from the University of Waterloo. Megan has worked for CMHATV for 3 years, she first began working as a Mental Health Worker in the Community Homes for Opportunity program in St. Thomas supporting a caseload of individuals with mental health concerns living in residential care homes in 2019. Megan became part of MOST just over a year ago in March 2021.

Hollie Lauzon is a Registered Social Worker with a Bachelor of Social Work from King’s University College. Hollie has worked for CMHATV for 3 years, she first began working in the Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative in St. Thomas as a Mental Health Worker working with individuals experiencing mental health challenges in supportive housing in 2019. Hollie joined MOST in September 2021 and has been enjoying her time on the team thus far.

Treatment and legal Issues in Mental Health Courts

Mental Health Courts are Justice Treatment Partnerships which to varying degrees integrate legal case processing with mental health treatment interventions. Experienced practitioners will discuss some of the legal and treatment issues which arise in the operation of Mental Health Courts. 

Panelists

Kym Briggs is a Registered Social Worker who has spent 15-years on the front lines of the mental health and justice system. Kym has held several positions throughout her career, including Probation and Parole Officer, Crisis Outreach Counsellor and Justice Services Case Manager where she coordinated delivery of the mental health court programs in Elgin County. Currently, Kym teaches Forensic Psychology at Kings University College and Wilfrid Laurier university, she is co-leading the development of an upcoming drug treatment court for Elgin County and she is working toward her Doctorate in Educational Leadership. Kym believes in focusing on equity as a main tool to improve mental wellness in our communities.   

Christine Lund is a lawyer practicing Criminal Law in Dufferin - Peel. Her practice focuses on representing vulnerable adults and youth in the criminal justice system as well as acting for complainants in Sexual Assault pre-trial applications. Christine is the Peel Director of the Criminal Lawyers’ Association and has been a long time member of the Brampton courthouse Mental Health Committee (now known as Alternative Resolution Court). She believes in a client-centered, collaborative approach to lawyering. She was appointed as a Member of the Ontario Review Board in 2020.  

Lucy Rasmussen has been practicing law since 2005 where she was called to the Bar of England and Wales.

She worked as a Civil and Criminal Barrister for several years before moving to Ontario. Since, 2014 she has worked at the Peel Crown Attorneys Office. Currently, she is the Mental Health Team Lead, as well as being the designated Elder Abuse Crown and sits on numerous committees including the HSJCC, MHJAC and ARC. Additionally, she is a board member of the Alzheimer’s Society of Peel. Lucy is passionate about trying to assist those involved in the Criminal Justice System who are particularly vulnerable and/or marginalised.