Supreme Court Forms Mental Health Advisory Committee

A new advisory committee formed by the Supreme Court will seek to identify ways to better serve those with mental illness in their interaction with the justice system, Chief Justice Stuart Rabner announced today.

The Mental Health Advisory Committee will include representatives from all three branches of government as well as health providers, mental health advocacy groups, the Department of Human Services, local law enforcement, the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of the Public Defender.

The committee, which will begin meeting this month, will take a system-wide look at the issues surrounding the criminal justice system’s handling of matters involving individuals with mental illness. It also will look for ways to improve access to mental health services.

Essex County Assignment Judge Sallyanne Floria and Department of Human Services Commissioner Carole Johnson will serve as co-chairs of the committee. The committee roster can be found here.