Mental health courts.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To describe the aims and objectives of mental health courts. To give an overview of the current literature devoted to mental health courts. To suggest where we might go in the future.

RECENT FINDINGS

While not flawless, mental health courts represent an innovative approach to addressing the needs of individuals within our society who have historically been alienated by both the justice system and the increasingly debilitated and diluted mental healthcare system. New data suggest that mental health courts are efficacious in reducing recidivism rates, reducing substance abuse, and result in reduced costs to governments.

SUMMARY

While the early data is encouraging, there is still a great need for further study regarding the efficacy of mental health courts. In particular, we need to know who (along a variety of dimensions) are likely to benefit from participation in mental health courts, of what sort, and under what circumstances.