A Study of Clients’ and Staff Perspectives of the Guelph Assertive Community Treatment Team’s Use of Community Treatment Orders

This study will give voice to the experiences and opinions of men and women diagnosed with serious mental illness who are clients of the Guelph Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACTT) and at the same time subject to Community Treatment Orders (CTOs). Instituted in 2005, CTOs require that individuals abide by certain conditions in order to live in the community; they are intended to provide comprehensive community support for these individuals such that admission to hospital is decreased. The study will also increase knowledge about how and why CTOs are used by service providers. The use of CTOs is controversial because it can be seen as coercive and limiting of client choice and self-determination. No prior studies of this specific population have been conducted in Canada. The project will help the Homewood Health Centre and the ACTT better understand the perspective of their clients, which will lead to more effective collaboration and improved client outcomes.

Faculty Supervisor:

Magnus Mfoafo-M’Carthy

Student:

Partner:

Homewood Health Centre;Homewood Research Institute

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology

University:

Wilfrid Laurier University - Kitchener Campus

Program: