Mental Health Court
About the Program
The Durham County Mental Health Court Diversion Program uses the pre-adjudication model where individuals with a primary diagnosis of a Severe and Persistent Mental Illness or a Serious Mental Illness are offered an opportunity to participate in whole person care treatment in lieu of more traditional court procedures. The goal of the Durham County Mental Health Court Diversion is to connect individuals with a primary diagnosis of Severe and Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI) or Serious Mental Illness (SMI) with treatment and services and address the cycling in and out of the justice system. Successful completion of the program results in the charges being dismissed.
Eligibility
- Must be 18 years or older
- Have an identifiable Severe and Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI) or Serious Mental Illness (SMI) and/or with a co-occurring diagnosis of Substance Use.
- Mental disorder is the precipitating Factor
- Able to understand the terms/conditions of the program and be willing to comply
- Durham County resident
- Exclusion: Driving While Impaired (DWI)
What Does the Durham County Mental Health Court Diversion Program have to offer?
The Durham County Mental Health Court Diversion Program staff will provide timely and effective services to improve mental health outcomes and reduce the rate of recidivism. It offers:
- A specialized court docket, which employs a problem-solving approach to court processing in lieu of more traditional court procedures.
- Supervised, person-centered treatment plans for each individual participating in the court, with an interdisciplinary team design implemented.
- Regular status hearings occur at which person-centered treatment Plans and other conditions are periodically reviewed for appropriateness.
- Evidence-based treatment models for mental health and substance Use (individual/group).
- Case Management to assist with linkage to services (Behavioral and Medical), housing, job skills training and applying for entitlements (Staff are SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access and Recovery (SOAR) trained): North Carolina | SOAR Works!
- Incentives are offered to reward adherence to court conditions. Participation is jeopardized when there is not adherence to the conditions.
Treatment Services and Resources Available
- Assessment
- Psychiatric evaluations
- Medication Bridge
- Medication-assisted treatment
- Evidence-based mental health and substance use education and treatment
- Assistance with basic needs (housing, food, and employment)
- Crisis intervention
- Individual Therapy
- Group Therapy (Mental Health and Substance Use)
- Seeking Safety is an evidenced-based practice that helps individuals to achieve safety from trauma and substance use with present focus on coping skills, grounding techniques and education while building self-compassion.
- Illness Management and Recovery is an evidenced-based practice that help individuals to cope with mental illness and moving forward with their life.
- CBI is an evidenced-based practice that help individuals understand their thoughts and feelings which influence behaviors.
- Anger Management
Aftercare
Aftercare will be provided for up to three (3) months post discharge. You and the Mental Health Court Coordinator will develop a plan that will address obstacles that you may face. Assistance will include help with:
- Staying connected with Community Mental Health Provider
- Meeting locations and times
- Counseling schedule
- School or work schedule, and learning how to fit either or both into your life
- Medication scheduling
- Prosocial community activities
Contact Justice Services
Renee Shaw
Mental Health and Substance Use Program Manager