Halifax

The Independent Review of the Involuntary Psychiatric Treatment Act

A Conversation with Professor William Lahey

6:30pm
- 8:30pm
Thursday April 25 2013

The From Recovery to Discovery Peer Support Group
Presents
A Conversation with Professor William Lahey about the Independent Review of the Involuntary Psychiatric Treatment Act.

The From Recovery to Discovery Peer Support Group is open to anyone affected, either directly or indirectly, by any type of mental illness, and this includes family members and friends.

Free!

Join co-facilitators Lisa Corra and Vince Daigle for a conversation with Professor Lahey about the ongoing Independent Review of the Involuntary Psychiatric Treatment Act.

The Involuntary Psychiatric Treatment Act is the legislation that governs the provision of psychiatric treatment on an involuntary basis to those who are determined to be incapable due to mental illness to make decisions about admissions into hospital and treatment for themselves. The legislation has been in force since July 2007. The legislation requires that two reviews of the Act must take place in 2012-2013. The first review requires the Minister to look at community treatment orders under the Act. The second review requires the Minister to have an independent review of the entire Act done.

The Provincial Government appointed Gérard La Forest (chair), a retired member of the Supreme Court of Canada, and William Lahey, a professor at the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University, to conduct both of the reviews required by the legislation together.

The review is now underway. The review is required to consider the following matters:
• whether the objectives of the Act continue to be the right objectives or whether they should be revised, clarified or strengthened;
• whether the Act is effectively meeting its current objectives and is otherwise functioning effectively and appropriately;
• whether amendments should be made to the Act or to associated legislation or to the administration of the Act to improve its functioning relative to its proper objectives, patient well-being, applicable human rights principles and Nova Scotia’s mental health policy objectives.

About the From Recovery to Discovery Peer Support Group
Organized through a partnership between the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia and the Healthy Minds Cooperative, the From Recovery to Discovery Peer Support Group is special because it moves beyond the expectation of simply existing with minimal symptoms of mental illness. Our message is that we all have the opportunity to manifest our strengths, to recover a sense of empowerment, and to live with meaning and purpose. Through the mutual sharing of our own wisdom and experience, we are reminded to reach for hope and fulfillment in our lives, and to help one another realize our potential.

The From Recovery to Discovery Peer Support Group is open to anyone affected by any type of mental illness, and this includes family members and friends. The format generally involves an interactive presentation on topics of interest to the group in the first hour, and a group discussion during the second hour.

If you have any questions, or would like more information, please contact:
Lisa Corra, Program Manager, Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia, by phoning 465-2601 (toll free 1-800-465-2601) or sending an email to lisacorra@bellaliant.com; or
Vince Daigle, Senior Peer Specialist, Healthy Minds Cooperative, by phoning 404-3504, or sending an email to healthyminds@eastlink.ca.

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