CTV News piece here:
https://www.ctvnews.ca/atlantic/nova-scotia/article/stabbing-of-child-in-halifax-reflects-lack-of-mental-health-care-access-legal-expert/
Local to Halifax media, the Stalbert Gazette, for the Canadian Press, Lindsay Armstrong
https://www.stalbertgazette.com/nova-scotia-news/stabbing-of-child-in-halifax-reflects-lack-of-mental-health-care-access-10291032
I’m quoted at some length in this piece. I have a lot of thoughts about where the “system” of mental health care breaks down.
Our hospital beds are occupied by people who don’t want to be there, most if not all of whom pose little to no danger to anyone.
We have to prioritize ensuring access to services for people who want them.
Unfortunately treatment seeking individuals are routinely denied services and hospital admission.
I’ll turn my mind to a bigger piece of my own about this as soon as I get a chance.
These rare events involving violence are often sensationalized, but that doesn’t mean they’re of course not also terrible tragic and sad for all involved.
About Anita Szigeti
• Called to the Bar (1992)
• U of T Law grad (1990)
• Sole practitioner (33 years)
• Partner in small law firm (Hiltz Szigeti) 2002 - 2013
• Mom to two astonishing kids, Scarlett (20+) and Sebastian (20-)
• (Founding) Chair of Mental Health Legal Committee for ten years (1997 to 2007)
* Founding President of Law and Mental Disorder Association - LAMDA since 2017
* Founder and Secretary to Women in Canadian Criminal Defence - WiCCD - since 2022
• Counsel to clients with serious mental health issues before administrative tribunals and on appeals
• Former Chair, current member of LAO’s mental health law advisory committee
• Educator, lecturer, widely published author (including 5 text books on consent and capacity law, Canadian civil mental health law, the criminal law of mental disorder, a law school casebook and a massive Anthology on all things mental health and the law)
• Thirty+ years’ experience as counsel to almost exclusively legally aided clients
• Frequently appointed amicus curiae
• Fearless advocate
• Not entirely humourless
anitaszigeti 