Individuals with dual diagnoses of mental health and intellectual disability and/or an autism spectrum disorder are denied access to Ontario Ministry of Health and Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services funded community rehabilitation supports. Individuals who have a reputation of difficult to manage behaviour and diagnoses on the personality disorder spectrum are also denied access to programs. Often these unsupported individuals are either on the brink of or have received criminal charges. The Justice Services and Dual Diagnosis programs at CMHA Nipissing offer a unique emotion regulation skills development program bringing together these diverse populations. This presentation will provide the audience with concrete tools and innovative ideas that have successfully been used at CMHA Nipissing to divert criminal charges.
Presenters: Amy Betzner-Massana, Stacy Talbot
