MENTAL HEALTH COURTS
WHO WE SERVE
Mental Health Courts are specialized problem-solving courts that serve individuals in the criminal justice system who are living with serious mental health conditions. These courts aim to connect participants with treatment and support services while promoting accountability and public safety. Through a collaborative approach involving judges, behavioral health professionals, attorneys, and community partners, Mental Health Courts provide structured supervision, individualized care plans, and regular court monitoring. The goal is to reduce recidivism, improve mental health outcomes, and support participants in achieving stability and wellness in their lives.
RESOURCES
Improving Responses to People with Mental Illness: The Essential Elements of a Mental Health Court. This report by the Council of State Governments Justice Center for the Bureau of Justice Assistance describes the 10 essential elements of a mental health court: 1) Planning & Administration 2) Target Population 3) Timely Participant Identification & Linkage to Services 4) Terms of Participation 5) Informed Choice 6) Treatment Supports and Services 7) Confidentiality 8) Court Team 9) Monitoring Adherence to Court Requirements 10) Sustainability.
A Guide to Mental Health Court Design and Implementation by Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center provides a roadmap for those interested in establishing a mental health court in their jurisdiction. Based largely on the experiences of existing mental health courts, the guide is organized according to three basic steps that should be followed by any community considering the establishment of a mental health court, which are: understanding the mental health concept; determining whether a mental health court is appropriate; and considering elements of mental health court design and implementation.
Mental Health Court Performance Measures (MHCPM) offered by the National Center for State Courts is a set of 14 performance measures that offers court managers and administrators a tool to monitor the performance of mental health courts. These measures were designed by the NCSC with guidance from national experts and field tested by four courts across the country. The measures are designated to be used as a management tool, to monitor program performance, and to demonstrate accountability to funding agencies, court leaders, external partners, and the public. Brochure, Implementation and User Guide, Data Tracking Template
