Date
2-19-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Abstract
The effective development and implementation of a specialty treatment court program such as a Mental Health Court is tedious, involved, and thorough; the impact of these comprehensive efforts is equally worthwhile, valuable, and substantial. The overall success of a mental health court program’s development and implementation derives from equal and intentional consideration of legal, ethical, and administrative factors. Considering these lenses collaboratively establishes the necessary groundwork for any new mental health court program in its infancy to build upon. This research expands on the ongoing statewide crisis involving individuals who are inadvertently left to slip through the cracks of the State’s mental health and criminal justice systems. A policy change is proposed that would aid in the resolution of this crisis, in addition to an action plan for leadership containing the necessary ethical principles that will need to be considered throughout various stages of development and implementation. The success of Mental Health Court will directly benefit the mental health community, court participants’ overall well-being, and associated entities, including areas of the criminal justice system, public safety, and issues of law and order. It is important to focus on these benefits while also being cognizant of the possible barriers and potential bridges to overcome them.