Summer Institute in Mental Health Law seeking participants

A one-week intensive program promises to equip participants to better understand and respond to key law and policy issues in the field of mental health care.

Hosted by the Centre for Health Law Policy and Ethics at the University of Ottawa, the Summer Institute in Mental Health Law is happening online on June 16-20, 2025.

Class size is limited and applications are being reviewed on a rolling basis until the class is filled.

Vanessa Gruben, Director of the Centre for Health Law, Policy and Ethics, and a Canadian Health Coalition board member, will be kicking off the Institute with an overview of the laws, principles, and key players governing Canadian health care systems.

Jennifer Chandler, professor and Vice Dean at the Faculty of Law with cross-appointment to the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa, will provide an overview of mental health law.

The next sessions explore diverse topics such as hospital and facility regulation, consent and capacity, privacy, Indigenous mental health law, mental health courts, AI and mental health, and MAiD.

“Based in accessible instruction grounded in real world examples, the program is designed for a wide range of attendees including healthcare professionals, researchers, managers, patient partners, public servants, and university students. No prior experience or legal training is required.”

More information, including how to apply, is available on the Summer Institute’s webpage.