The Manitowoc County League of Women Voters is set to lead a discussion about the potential impact of a Mental Health Court program in the area.
Mental Health Court: From a Plan to Reality will be a 90-minute presentation offered in Manitowoc on Thursday night.
Drug Court already exists in the county, aiming to tailor the criminal justice process to revolve more around accountability and rehabilitation. The idea is to recognize that a unique approach towards drug addicts can help result in a major behavioral change to end the cycle of drug addiction in the county.
Mary Wallace and Linda Gratz of the League of Women Voters believe the same approach could benefit those in need of unique care due to mental illness.
They spoke to Seehafer News, where Wallace said that the success of the Drug Court program merits considering a Mental Health Court. “It’s just been a huge success. The Drug Court is probably the most popular, but one of many ‘diversion courts’ that attempt to keep people out of the criminal justice system and into treatment and positive lives.”
She said Drug Court has been so good for Manitowoc County since its beginning in 2017 that, “we started looking at other diversion courts, and one of the most successful around is the Mental Health Court.”
Gratz noted that the program would be voluntary, but that the incentive of receiving real help will encourage people to not only seek out proper mental health care when it is needed, but to remain accountable for sticking with their treatment. She said it leads to better self-care, better parenting, and fewer people in the criminal justice system.
The presentation will be held at City Hall on Thursday at 7:00 p.m.