The Benton County Mental Health Court (MHC) is proud to announce that it recently celebrated its 100th graduate!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 5, 2022
Kennewick, WA – The Benton County Mental Health Court (MHC) is proud to announce that it recently celebrated its 100th graduate! This is a big milestone – 100 lives with restored hope, 100 lives forever changed.
The 100th graduate stated that, prior to Mental Health Court, her bipolar disorder ruled her life. She couldn’t hold a job, was living on the streets, and abusing drugs. As a participant, she found sober housing and engaged in mental health counseling and chemical dependency treatment. Before long, she began to regain stability in her life. She found a job and started rebuilding relationships with her family and children. She remains drug free and says that she’s more confident than she has been in many years. She’s grateful for all the changes that have been possible because of Mental Health Court.
The Benton County Mental Health Court began in 2016 with just 10 participants. There are now currently 65 participants, just a few years later. The MHC team is knowledgeable and seasoned, with 47 years of combined behavioral health experience and 66 years of legal experience. The MHC team also works closely with several community partners, contributing greatly to the program’s ongoing success.
The Benton County Mental Health Court is funded in its entirety by the Benton County Public Safety Sales Tax, which also fully funds the Benton County Veterans Therapeutic Court.
About Mental Health Court
Mental Health Court is a specialized, treatment-oriented court that reframes the traditional legal process with an emphasis on accountability and intensive monitoring for defendants charged with misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, or felony criminal charges in Benton County who are diagnosed with a severe and persistent mental illness which contributed to the crime.
Program participants are required to participate in mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment (if applicable), submit to regular drug testing, perform community service, attend regular court appearances, and are monitored closely for program compliance.
The goal of Therapeutic Courts is to break the cycle of the “revolving door” effect of the criminal justice system and support participants by promoting responsibility and accountability, and teaching participants to become productive law-abiding citizens, which in return reduces criminal recidivism and provides for better, healthier communities. Therapeutic Courts are the single most successful intervention in our nation’s history for leading people living with mental health and substance use disorders out of the justice system and into lives of recovery and stability.
# # # #
Contact: Ryan Washburn
Therapeutic Courts Coordinator
Ryan.Washburn@co.benton.wa.us
509-735-8476 ext.3417
Original source can be found here.
Alerts Sign-up