TIPS by Peel Crime Stoppers - Epi 112 - The Grey Area: Mental Health, & Justice

Mental health and the justice system often intersect in complicated and deeply human ways but where is the line between getting help and being criminalized?This episode of TIPS explores just that as host Julia Vellucci continues the growing conversation around mental health, public safety, and the criminal justice system in this mental health mini series for May. Julia is joined by criminal defence lawyers Cassandra Richards and Tonya Kent, who bring first-hand insight from years of representing youth and adults facing a wide range of criminal charges across Canada. Drawing from their experiences inside courtrooms and within communities, they discuss access to justice, the impact criminal charges can have on individuals and families, and whether some people are being criminalized when what they may truly need is intervention, treatment, or support. This episode focuses on awareness, prevention, and the importance of understanding the realities that exist at the intersection of mental health and the legal system.