Forensic Mental Health Care Program - Services
Five inpatient units provide unique clinical interventions throughout each individuals’ journey of recovery and help to balance autonomy and manage risk.
The program's mission is to enable those with mental health disorders who have been in conflict with the law, to be assessed and be provided with support through their court proceedings. The program also aims to help patients improve functioning and stability so they may safely and successfully, reintegrate into the community.
Inpatient units
Individuals who are inpatients of Southwest Centre's Forensic Program reside in one of five, equally secure units:
- Forensic Assessment Unit: This unit focuses on providing consultation and specialized assessments regarding fitness to stand trial, short-term treatment, criminal responsibility assessment, to support outcomes in the justice system.
- Forensic Treatment Units: Two treatment units provide psychiatric stabilization and initiate longer-term integrated treatment, rehabilitation and support to patients on Ontario Review Board dispositions. The units operate under a model of psychosocial rehabilitation. Patient privileges are introduced gradually depending on each individual's status, security needs/risks and tolerance for less structure. Once treatment needs have been supported and patients are functioning well- including attending programming, individuals can be considered for rehabilitation as guided by the treatment team.
- Forensic Rehabilitation Units: Progress to one of two rehabilitation units reflects an improvement in the clinical status of patients and their Ontario Review Board dispositions. Intensive engagement and initial rehabilitation take place on this unit with a focus on developing personal goals and initial steps toward community reintegration. Patients work towards obtaining and increasing pass levels on this unit.
Outpatient Supports
Forensic Transition Team
The Forensic Transition Team connects with patients while they are residing on the rehabilitation units. This team gets to know the patient, learns what their rehabilitation and community goals are and supports patients with their initial transition to the community. Upon a successful transition into the community setting, the Forensic Outreach Team is gradually introduced to support long-term community integration.
Forensic Outreach Program
The Forensic Outreach Team plays a crucial role in the safe and successful integration of forensic patients into the community. Intensive rehabilitation efforts continue within the community setting where skill training as well as ongoing risk assessment/management take place. The team works closely with other community-based agencies across Ontario to link individuals with the appropriate on-going supports (i.e., Assertive Community Treatment teams, residential treatment, group homes, etc.). The outreach team uses its forensic knowledge and expertise to assist the ORB in determining an individual’s suitability for absolute discharge from the forensic mental health care system.
Forensic Dual Diagnosis Engagement Team
The Dual Diagnosis Engagement Team provides support to individuals in the Forensic Program who have a developmental delay as well as a mental illness. This team also provides dual diagnosis consultation and system navigation support for individuals in the community who are at risk of coming into contact with the justice system. Their mandate is to ensure that people who have a dual diagnosis are accessing all available services/resources in the community and are given the opportunity to achieve success in a community setting.
Southwest Centre for Forensic Mental Health Care Programming
Southwest Centre offers a range of programs to support our patients and their individual recovery journeys. Our patients' goals are an important focus when co-creating care plans with the support of the clinical team. Programming and activities available at Southwest Centre are designed to assist in skill development, to support each patient’s functional abilities and to help patients meet their rehabilitation goals.
Some of the many supports include:
- Psychotherapeutic supports
- Spiritual Care support
- Indigenous healing supports
- Occupational therapy assessment and intervention
- Social work assistance and family/social supports
- Therapeutic activities for leisure and daily structure/active lifestyle
- Vocational supports for employment/volunteering/education
- Quality of life activities
Southwest Centre Resources
- Fitness Room
- Basketball/Volleyball Court
- Music Room
- Education/Vocational Room
- Library
- Outside Courtyards
- Spiritual Care Area
- Transportation into St Thomas
- Rehabilitation Kitchens
- Billiards Room
- Cafeteria
- Variety Store
- Hairdressing Salon
- Silhouette Clothing Store
- Patient Advocate
- Patient Rights Advisor