N.W.T's justice system not equipped to handle mentally ill, says advocate

The John Howard Society says the N.W.T. government needs to do more to help people with mental illnesses before they enter the justice system. 

Speaking at the Yellowknife Health and Social Services Authority's annual general meeting last week, the society's president, Lydia Bardak, says the justice system is not equipped to handle mentally ill offenders. 

Bardak says she makes weekly visits to the jail in Yellowknife and attends court hearings regularly. She says the Department of Health and Social Services needs to step up its commitment to treat the mentally ill. 

"When there are no mental health supports in the community, the police are called," said Bardak. "And they know they're not well equipped for this. That's not their training and background. The courts are not well equipped.

"And I have guards stopping me in the halls saying: 'Lydia, half the people in here don't belong here cause they're mental.' So when will we start dealing with mental illness before it gets into the criminal justice system? Because people are getting hurt."

Health Minister Glen Abernethy says his department and the justice department work together through a wellness court that offers support to those with mental health issues. He says the N.W.T. Mental Health Act is outdated, but new legislation is pending.

"I need these things to come together," said Abernethy. "I need these reports to come in. .

"I need the Mental Health Act to pass and then [the department will] move forward on the next step, which is a comprehensive strategy on addressing and supporting people with mental health issues here in the N.W.T."