Testimonies on mental health-related disability

[Bertillecharlie]

Hi there,*

We are French students in our final year of a master’s programme in disabilities studies in Paris, France, and currently conducting research on the impact of Canadian correctional system on mental health.

We are looking for testimonies, experiences or exchanges from people who used to be incarcerated and who have a mental health-related disability or who know someone who has one. These exchanges aim to understand these problems “from the inside”.*

Here are some examples of information we are looking for:*
• What are the Canadian representations of “mental health-related disability”(MHRD) in everyday life and in jail?
• How is mental health care provided for in jail or criminal justice system?
• What is the point of view of people with MHRD, about these penalty adjustments for people with mental health issues?
• Is release from prison and transition to community support adapted to and meet the needs of people with mental health-related disability?

If you have stories to share, please do so. We are hoping to understand how mental health services may improve for the benefit of people who have been experienced Canadian Jails.*

Thank you in advance.*

Bertille and Charlie

[fbopnomore]

Welcome to Prison Talk. I hope you receive answers from folks who are familiar with Canadian prisons.

Advisory for PTO Members Regarding Requests from Journalists & Members of the Media, and Students/Researchers:

PTO welcomes journalists and/or members of the media to learn and educate themselves about prisons, prisoners, and their loved ones, as well as students and researchers doing research on these subjects.

We will, occasionally, allow the media or students/researchers to request information and personal stories from our members. However, PTO does not endorse any journalist, member of the media, story/report, media outlet, student/researcher, or educational/research institution.

If you decide to communicate with a media representative or a researcher, then you assume all of the risks involved. PTO is in no way liable for the outcome of the story/report/paper. Communication with members of the media and students/researchers is completely voluntarily and PTO holds no responsibility for the consequences of that communication.

PTO does not screen or authenticate any person(s) claiming to be from the media or from an educational/research institution, nor does PTO authenticate their motivations for obtaining the information.

As always, the disclosure of personal information (either yours or someone that is incarcerated) may have some serious repercussions. PTO has no way of predicting how the media or any researcher will present your story or that of your loved one. Any relationship with the media or any researchers is to be entered into at your own risk.

If you receive an unsolicited email or private message from a person claiming to be from the media or researching information for an educational or research institution, report it to the PTO Administration immediately.