Mental Health Courts: A Primer for Policymakers and Practitioners
This primer from the Council of State Governments Justice Center, supported by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, provides the first comprehensive introduction to the specialty court model, in which individuals with mental illnesses are linked to treatment and receive treatment services while under court supervision. In the late 1990s only a handful of mental health courts were in operation; at the time of the report's publication more than 200 such courts had been established in large and small jurisdictions across the country. The primer describes mental health courts' goals and processes, summarizes research findings about their effectiveness, identifies issues to be considered in designing them, and lists resources for jurisdictions interested in starting such programs, including sources of grants and other funding, training and technical support centers, written policy guides, and websites.
Taking the HEAT Out of Campus Crises: A Proactive Approach to College Safety
The sharp rise in school shootings over the past 25 years has led school officials across the U.S. to take a closer look at ways to keep students safe. For Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga, California, a tragic incident at a nearby university hit close to home and spurred campus leaders to revisit their own school’s threat assessments and crisis responses.
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From 911 to 988: Salt Lake City’s Innovative Dispatch Diversion Program Gives More Crisis Options
A three-digit crisis line, 988, launched two years ago to supplement—not necessarily replace—911. Calling 988 simplifies access to services when people are seeking help for themselves or loved ones with suicidal thoughts, behavioral health concerns, or substance use-related crises.
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