A new statewide commission will focus on mental health, substance use, and intellectual disabilities. The formal announcement came Thursday in Frankfort.
The new Kentucky Judicial Commission on Mental Health comes at the direction of the State Supreme Court. The panel is aimed at improving the practice, quality, and timeliness of judicial response to cases involving mental health, substance use, and intellectual disability needs.
Chief Justice John Minton has asked Supreme Court Justice Debra Hembree Lambert to chair the commission. She’s a certified suicide prevention trainer and former drug court judge. Hembree Lambert said, quote, ““I’m excited to focus on mental health and substance use cases, but this will also be the first time there will be an all-hands-on-board effort to assess and improve the way the court handles intellectual disabilities.”
The first Judicial Commission on Mental Health meeting is scheduled for September 22nd.
