The JAMH program was initiated in September 2007, thanks to funding grants from the Law Foundation of Ontario and the Ministry of the Attorney General, Victims Services. The JAMH program is the only one in Ontario that specifically supports families of people with mental illness who are in contact with the law.

The JAMH program grew out of ANCRSS (Advocates for the Not Criminally Responsible Schizophrenia Sufferers), an e-mail-based support group established in 2001 by two family members. These family members found that there were no supports available for them to talk about their experiences, which involved complex interactions with the criminal justice system. They created ANCRSS as a safe space where families could share their experiences and gain support from families in similar situations.

The JAMH program continues to operate the ANCRSS support group, but goes beyond this to offer a range of supports aimed at meeting the diverse needs of families. Families can access individual support from a Family Support Worker by phone or e-mail. Court support services are available in some cases to families residing in the GTA.

In addition to our support services, JAMH is active in advocating for system-level changes that benefit both people with mental illness and their families. We also assist families in their own personal advocacy around issues such as police record checks, deportations, appeals, and inquests.