CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Gov. Bill Lee was in Clarksville Thursday for the launch of the 19th Judicial District Mental Health Court. The County Commission Chambers at the Montgomery County Courthouse was filled with supporters of the Mental Health Court program.
The Mental Health Court will help individuals charged with crimes get the help they need if they are dealing with mental health issues. The support will include in-house resources or outsourcing to mental health programs.
In July, the County Commission approved moving ahead with the program. Circuit Court Judge Katy Olita has been leading the work since 2021 to bring Mental Health Court to Montgomery County.
Olita praised the work of Recovery Court and Veterans Treatment Court and those involved with those programs, emphasizing the importance of the recovery court system.
“Today we celebrate opening the door to recovery, health and wellness even further. Today we are recognizing the collective care that we in the 19th District are striving to provide those in our community,” Olita said.
Taking it statewide
Speaking to those gathered, Lee said he came for the launch because Mental Health Court was something that should be happening all across the state. “It’s happening more and more across Tennessee, and what that means is more and more Tennesseans are being impacted and their lives are being changed for the good. More Tennesseans are benefitting from the work of courts like this one,” Lee said.
Sharita Brown was chosen earlier as director of the program, and she said Thursday that most importantly the program will be coaching their participants along the way with dignity, respect and room to evolve.
The program is voluntary for a defendant 18 or older who has committed a misdemeanor or felony offense and has a severe or persistent mental health condition. Criminal charges will be excluded from the program.
Tennessee’s 19th Judicial District includes Montgomery and Robertson Counties. Mental Health Courts are supervised by the judicial system and help protect the safety of the community while improving public welfare and help to reduce correctional costs.
The 19th Judicial District Mental Health Court has received more than $180,000 in state funding and a grant for $232,000 from the Clarksville-Montgomery County Community Health Foundation.