CLARKSVILLE, TN – On Thursday, December 5, the 19th Judicial District Mental Health Court (MHC) celebrated a significant milestone by honoring its first graduate since its establishment in 2023.
This graduate completed the program in just 12 months, the minimum time required to participate in the mental health court program. The MHC is proud to report a zero percent recidivism rate and has doubled the number of participants since its launch in September 2023.
The court is also grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with Adult Probation and Veterans Treatment court staff. Mental Health Court provides its participants with equitable and effective support while demanding accountability and treating each participant with dignity, respect, and room for personal growth. The MHC staff is pleased to celebrate the hard work, dedication, and effort the first graduate has demonstrated over the past year.
Judge Katy Olita of the 19th Judicial District presides over the Mental Health Court, and Sharita Brown serves as the Director; both shared words of encouragement during the ceremony, while guest speaker Founder of Haynes House Sanctuary Lisa Martin, emphasized the importance of endings and beginnings.
Applications to join the Mental Health Court can only be made through legal counsel or by referral from a judge.
For more information about the19th Judicial District Mental Health Court, visit https://mcgtn.org/mental-health-court.