Mental Health Treatment Courts (MHTCs) are specialized problem-solving courts designed to divert justice-involved individuals with mental health disorders away from incarceration and into structured treatment, supervision, and support. The goal is to improve public safety, reduce recidivism, and promote long-term stability for participants.
ELIGIBILITY (participants must):
- Be a resident of Cumberland County
- Adult charged with a non-violent misdemeanor or felony
- Diagnosed mental health disorder (e.g., bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, major depression, PTSD
- Willingness to participate in treatment, case management, and supervision
- Determination that the participant’s mental health needs contributed to their criminal behavior
- Disqualifying charges (violent or sex-offences)
REFERRAL/ENTRY PROCESS
A preliminary eligibility screening is completed to determine whether the individual meets the basic criteria for the Mental Health Treatment Court:
- Criminal charge within program guidelines
- Apparent mental health disorder
- Substance use screening
- Medication review and Recommendation for level of care