Featured Letter: Need for mental health court remains

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Being sick is not a crime.

At the risk of repeating myself, recent developments have prompted me to speak out once again about the need for a mental health court throughout New Brunswick.

Recently, government officials appeared at a legislative committee to answer questions from MLAs. When questioned about the establishment of a mental health court in Moncton, the Health Department Deputy Minister talked about the efforts being undertaken to improve “diversion” services in Moncton, but he stated that did not amount to a mental health court “like you see in Saint John.” In fact, he clearly stated a mental health court like the one in Saint John was not being planned.

His response was shocking to me for several reasons.

First, Saint John has had a mental health court for almost 25 years. The initiative originally undertaken by now retired Judge Alfred Brien has done wonders, with 85 per cent of cases not resulting in reoffences (according to provincial government sources).

Second, Nova Scotia has had such a court for 15 years and it has been expanded to several sites across the province, including in the Wagmatcook First Nation. They now call it the “wellness court” because it not only diverts mentally ill offenders away from the justice system, but it also contributes to removing the stigma attached to mental illness.

Third, respected advocates such as former Ombudsman Bernard Richard and retired Judge Michael McKee have long called for other sites to be set up in New Brunswick. They have seen the benefits of Judge Brien’s approach and the work of similar courts in other parts of the country.

Finally, my own experience advocating for mentally ill individuals in provincial court has convinced me there is a better way. Of course, a wellness court is a different approach. It requires the right supports are in place to ensure that vulnerable individuals do not end up behind bars only to begin again the same old cycle as soon as they are released. Moreover, the reduction of recidivism benefits all of society, including business owners and taxpayers.

If this alternative approach has been successful in Saint John, it can reap the same benefits in Moncton and in other cities in the province. Simply stated, a mental court is needed because it works. Criminalizing behaviors that are the result of mental illness does not work.

Politicians have been promising to make it happen for years now. In fact, the Minister of Justice told me to expect an announcement “soon.” That was over two years ago. It’s time for action.

Paul Ouellet

Moncton