NCJ Number
198812
Journal
Juvenile and Family Justice Today Volume: 11 Issue: 4 Dated: Winter 2003 Pages: 29-30
Date Published
2003
Length
2 pages
Annotation
This article presents the problem of a chasm between the juvenile justice system and the mental health profession, and offers a solution to bring the two professions into cooperation.
Abstract
The author explains that the juvenile justice system and the mental health industry often approach the problem of mentally ill juveniles from different perspectives. The juvenile justice system is concerned with upholding the law and punishing offenders. The author asserts that mental illness only comes into play when it directly impacts the case at hand. On the other hand, the mental health industry is less concerned about punishing the offender than about treating the juvenile for his or her mental health problems. Their main critique of the juvenile justice system is that the justice system waits too long in seeking mental health treatment for the juvenile. The author contends that both professions could better serve at-risk youth if they could cooperate in their respective efforts. The solution lies in the ability of the two systems to apply a joint system effort to identifying and treating mentally ill youth. In conclusion, the author cautions that absent this joint effort, youths will not receive the treatment they need.