NCJ Number
238862
Journal
Psychiatric Services Volume: 63 Issue: 2 Dated: February 2012 Pages: 130-134
Date Published
February 2012
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article presents the results of a survey of juvenile mental health courts.
Abstract
Results of a survey of juvenile mental health courts (JMHCs) found that: 51 percent of the JMHCs were administered by juvenile courts, while 11 percent were administered by a probation agency and 17 percent were administered by both entities; the most commonly reported participant diagnoses were bipolar disorder (27 percent), depression (23 percent), and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (16 percent); 70 percent of JHMCs had participants with felony offenses, while 91 percent had participants with misdemeanors; a guilty plea was required to participate in 63 percent of the JMHCs; incentives for participation in JMHCs included dismissal of charges, reduction in court hearings, reduction in curfew restrictions, and praise by the judge and probation officer; and sanctions for not participating in JMHCs included increased supervision or hearings, performing community service, and placement in residential detention centers. This article presents the results of a survey of juvenile mental health courts to determine their ability to address the mental health needs of juvenile offenders. Data for the article were obtained from completed surveys (n=34) sent to 41 JMHCs in 15 States. The surveys were completed by JMHC officials, usually program directors, and covered the following topics: the court's history, youths served, inclusion and exclusion criteria, the court process, and services provided. The survey's findings indicate that JMHCs, while similar to adult mental health courts, have unique features that are specific to addressing the complex needs of youths with mental disorders involved in the juvenile justice system. In addition, the findings indicate that these courts are being developed without the use of systematically collected outcome data. Implications for the continued use of JMHCs are discussed. Tables and references