Lexington's new 'mental health court' aims to help offenders get needed treatment and save taxpayer dollars. The goal is to keep those convicted of misdemeanors from becoming felony offenders.
Kelley Gunning with the National Alliance on Mental Illness Lexington says there are currently eight people enrolled in the program. "They have to have a mental health diagnosis, be willing to engage in treatment, and be willing to engage in whatever kind of mandate the court puts on them to remain out of trouble," said Gunning.
Gunning says the district court program is referred to as 'diversion court.' She says the term helps lessen the stigma associated with mentally ill offenders. Gunning says only non-violent individuals with misdemeanor charges are allowed in diversion court. "It's very hard to turn your life around when you can't think appropriately, when you're suffering from either co-occurring mental health and substance use disorder, or just a mental health issue like schizophrenia or bi-polar alone," added Gunning.
Gunning says plans call for working with 20 to 30 people over the first year. She says the goal is to address issues at the district court level, hopefully reducing the need for a circuit level mental health court.?
