What Factors Work in Mental Health Court?: A Consumer Perspective

• NCJ Number: 244624
• Journal: Journal of Offender Rehabilitation Volume: 52 Issue: 5-8 Dated: December 2013 Pages: 311-337
• Author(s): Kelli E. Canada; Alana J. Gunn
• Date Published: December 2013
• Length: 27 pages
• Grant Number(s): P20 MH085981
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Mental Health
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined mental health court (MHC) and participants perspectives on key factors in promoting change and the role that social support plays in recovery and recidivism.

Abstract

Mental health court (MHC) participation is associated with reduced recidivism and increased access to services but there is little empirical support for the factors that impact outcomes. Previous research supports the importance of social support in recovery and reducing criminal recidivism for populations similar to the population served by MHCs. This research project used mixed-methodology to explore MHC participant perceptions (n = 26) of factors important in recovery and estimated the associations between social support and outcomes (n = 80). Although social support was not associated with outcomes quantitatively, social support emerged as a salient theme in the qualitative analysis. Participants reported support, structure, accountability, treatment, and instilling motivation as key factors in recovery and recidivism. Abstract published by arrangement with Taylor and Francis.