County supports establishment of Mental Health Specialty Court

The Hays County Commissioners Court voted unanimously in favor of supporting the establishment of a Mental Health Court in the county. 

Hays County Court No. 3 will serve as the county’s Mental Health Court. According to the agenda item, “the Commissioners Court of Hays County does authorize and request the establishment of the Hays County Mental Health Court as a Mental Health Specialty Court and requests that the County Court at Law No. 3 serve as this court and enable it to provide services needed by the citizens of our county.”

County Judge Ruben Becerra said in a social media post that critical need to work with county officials and stakeholders to address the issues of mental health was found through the county’s Criminal Justice Reform Commission. 

“We have taken a step forward by approving the resolution to establish the Hays County Mental Health Court,” Becerra said in a Facebook post. “This mental health specialty court will help us fill a need to our most vulnerable Hays County citizens.”

Hays County Court No. 3 Judge Telie Zelhart spoke during commissioners court saying that people with mental illness, intellectual disabilities and developmental disabilities are over represented in the criminal justice system. 

“These individuals often cycle in and out of our criminal justice system with little, if any, treatment,” Zelhart said. “These Texans, and the communities in which they live, must navigate the challenges of mental health issues in our jails, our hospital emergency departments, adult, criminal and juvenile justice agencies, schools and child protective services. 

“Of the 27 million people who live in Texas, approximately 1 million adults experience serious mental illness. Roughly half of these individuals have serious and persistent mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression or post-traumatic stress disorder,” Zelhart added. “Nearly 25 percent of the inmate population in the State of Texas has a mental health need … The Hays County Mental Health Court will offer a pre-and-post adjudication track, meaning we will not only offer post-adjudication programs for those on the verge of adjudication or probation, we will also offer an originary program to help deter individuals away from the criminal justice system entirely.”

Zelhart added that the court will also work on establishing an outpatient treatment program as another jail diversionary program, which will also provide those with mental health needs with treatment and care. 

“While the numbers I quoted to you earlier are bleak, there is hope,” Zelhart said. “Those of us working in the Hays County mental health community have personally witnessed miraculous transformation of clients, lives saved, families reunited and dignity and health restored. Your support of the Hays County Mental Health Specialty Court will make an impact far beyond the courthouse halls.”