Toronto police are searching for a man who has gone missing from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, but the medical facility says the man is not what it calls a "forensics patient."

That means Robert McNamara, 59, has not been admitted to the facility under the Criminal Code of Canada, has not been found not criminally responsible of criminal offences, or unfit to stand trial, and has not been ordered to have treatment.

CAMH says he is a voluntary patient who did not return on a pass.

The police, however, still consider him possibly to be a public safety threat, according to Katrina Arrogante, spokesperson for the Toronto Police Service.

"With regards to the nature of the care the person is required to have, there is some type of public safety risk at this point, including himself," Arrogante said.

"Our efforts right now is to ensure the return of Mr. McNamara to this medical facility."

Anyone who finds him is urged to call police immediately

When asked if he poses a threat to himself or others, Arrogante said: "It's quite possible."

In a news release issued on Saturday, police urge anyone who sees McNamara not to approach him but to call 911.

Arrogante said people should call police immediately.

"We just have information that we need to address to the public that there is some type of safety concern with the fact that he is missing from this medical facility," Arrogante said.

"He needs medical assistance and we are trying to return him to the facility that will help him with that care."

Police have not released a photo of McNamara.

According to police, McNamara was last seen at CAMH in the Queen Street West and Ossington Avenue area at 1:30 p.m. on Friday.

His disappearance comes after three patients, all not criminally responsible for violent offences, went missing from CAMH in a month. One remains at large while the other two have been located.

Label of public safety threat adds to stigma, CAMH says

In an email statement to CBC Toronto on Saturday, CAMH said the facility provides a range of inpatient and outpatient services for people experiencing mental illness.

"In this case, this is not a forensics patient," the statement reads.

"Many of our patients are voluntary and come to CAMH for treatment and support so they can recover. As part of their recovery plan, voluntary patients are given opportunities to demonstrate how far along in their recovery they are by exercising passes into the community," it continues.

"In a case where a patient does not return for one of these passes, and a physician is concerned for their safety and well-being, the physician can issue a 'Form 1' under the Mental Health Act, which starts a process of working with police to find a patient so they can be cared for at CAMH. During these times of concern for voluntary patients, our primary focus remains on the safety of the patient themselves."

CAMH said many people feel the stigma that comes from being diagnosed with mental illness and characterizing them as dangers to society is unhelpful.

"Suggestions that all people experiencing mental illness are a public safety threat further contributes to stigma and makes it more difficult for the next person to get the help they deserve," it says.

Arrogante declined to comment on CAMH's statement about stigma.

Police describe McNamara as five foot seven, 115 lbs., with a thin build, salt and pepper hair, a full beard, a receding hairline and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a navy blue t-shirt, black pants and flip flops.



Police said they are concerned for his safety.