A Mental Health Court is a docket that is focused on those who have been diagnosed with a major mental health disorder and have become involved in the criminal justice system. In Nebraska, there is currently one Mental Health Court in operation as a pilot program, serving individuals who are high-risk and high-need and have a major mental disorder. Mental Health Courts operate under a team approach where a judge, prosecutor, defense counsel, coordinator, community supervision officer, law enforcement, treatment provider(s), and other key team members work together to design an individualized program for each participant. The goal of this court is to reintroduce the participants to treatment, housing, and other ancillary services in order to reduce recidivism and criminal justice involvement. National research has supported Mental Health Courts as effectively reducing recidivism among participants, improving mental health outcomes, and reducing the length of incarceration for participants (Mental Health America, 2009). The first pilot Nebraska Mental Health Court, the Sarpy Wellness Court, entered their first participant in February 2021.

Court Resources

• Nebraska Mental Health Courts Best Practice Standards