Exploring Opportunities for Growth in Mental Health Courts in North Carolina

Abstract

Background

A significant portion of the jail and prison population in the United States (U.S.) is facing mental health challenges. Almost 25% of incarcerated individuals are diagnosed with a serious mental illness, while up to 50% are subject to some mental health challenges. While incarcerated, mentally ill justice-involved individuals often lack mental health care, and once released, may have difficulty accessing health services. These health disparities place mentally ill justice-involved individuals at risk for poor symptom management and re-offending.

The North Carolina (NC) mental health courts are a diversionary measure that strives to reduce the risks of re-offending and poor symptom management. The over representation of justice-involved individuals with a mental illness suggests a lack of training being given to attorneys about signs and symptoms of mental illness and diversionary resources. Resources, such as mental health courts, are reliant on attorney referrals. It would, therefore, seem beneficial for attorneys to have a baseline knowledge of mental illness as manifested in their clients.

The eight mental health courts in North Carolina work to create supportive court room environments for those with mental health concerns. The courts function as both pre-adjudication and post-adjudication courts and offer additional resources and support for participants including support for housing, referrals to specialized mental health treatments, and substance use recovery services.

The purpose of this study is to explore the steps that can be taken to improve the reach of mental health courts in North Carolina.

Methods

A secondary qualitative data analysis of open-ended responses to survey questions and interview transcripts was conducted. Participants were members of the State Bar and mental health court teams in six NC counties. Structural coding and thematic analysis were used.

Conclusion

Preliminary findings indicate that knowledge of mental health signs and symptoms and awareness of the referral process for mental health courts is low. Increased knowledge about mental illness and diversionary resources among members of the Bar is needed. An application to the NC State Bar will be submitted advocating for approval of Mental Health First Aid Training as a Continuing Legal Education credit for NC attorneys in conjunction with education about mental health courts.