TranslateForensic mental health service
Our Forensic Mental Health Service team supports offenders with a mental disorder and people at risk of offending. We provide community and inpatient mental health:
- assessment
- treatment
- case management
- highly specialised psychiatric care.
Community Forensic Mental Health Service
The Community Forensic Mental Health Service is a confidential state wide service. We support Tasmanians with mental health issues and/or intellectual disability who are:
- involved with the criminal justice system
- assessed as high risk of becoming involved with the criminal justice system as a result of their mental health and associated behaviour.
Our services include:
- mental health assessment
- risk assessment and management planning
- court ordered reports
- case management
- medication administration, monitoring and education
- therapeutic intervention, such as counselling
- consultation, support and education
- referral to other services.
Who uses these services?
People aged 18 years and over with a mental illness and/or disability and are:
- on a Forensic Order
- assessed as high risk of becoming involved with the criminal justice system.
Who supports the services?
Our services are supported by:
- psychiatrists
- clinical psychologists
- community mental health nurses
- social workers
- occupational therapists
- court liaison officers
Court Liaison Service
If you have mental health problems and have to go to court, our Court Liaison Officers support you and your family by:
- explaining court processes
- advising on how to contact a lawyer
- identifying you before the court and make referrals to treatment and support services
- providing immediate assessment and advice to the court if you have a mental health problem
- providing initial screening assessment to determine your fitness to stand trial
- providing assessments, recommendations and oversight of participants to the Diversion List.
What is the Diversion List?
- This is a specialist list in the Magistrates Court to meet needs of defendants with mental illness, cognitive impairment or brain injury.
- It provides a therapeutic alternative to the general court process. Participants voluntarily take part in treatment and rehabilitation programs.
- Court Liaison Officers assess eligibility of participants and oversee their progress while on the program.
What are Forensic Orders?
The Supreme Court can place you on a Forensic Order if you are found to be:
- unfit to take part in the legal process
- not guilty by reasons of insanity.
You can then be placed on one of two orders:
- Restriction Order – you are detained in a secure mental health unit
- Supervision Order – you live in the community under the supervision of the Chief Forensic Psychiatrist with specific conditions.
These are reviewed annually by the Tasmanian Forensic Tribunal.
Defendant Health Liaison Service
The Defendant Health Liaison Service offers support if you have been:
- charged with an offence
- served with a Police Family Violence Order or a Family Violence Order.
The service is separate from the Police and not directly part of the court or legal system.
The Defendant Health Liaison Officer can help you with:
- someone to talk to you about your current situation
- referral and information about other services
- assistance in understanding Police Family Violence and Family Violence Orders
- support through the court process
They cannot provide you with legal advice.
Inpatient services
- We provide professional and secure inpatient care and treatment at the Wilfred Lopes Centre near Hobart.
- The Centre is run by specialist mental health nurses, psychiatrists, allied health professionals and support staff.
Read the Wilfred Lopes Centre brochure
Where to get more information about all our services
- Northern Tasmania: phone 03 6777 1204
- Southern Tasmania: phone 03 6166 0486
