Mental Health Courts - Treatment and legal Issues

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.