State district court in New Mexico county launches new pilot program for MH treatment

Abstract

Judicial officials across New Mexico are hoping that four small pilot diversion programs can provide a useful model for ensuring people with mental illness are enrolled in treatment through county courts, the Santa Fe New Mexican, reported on Aug. 16. Fourth Judicial District Judge Michael Aragon said in an interview that the pilot program aims to cut recidivism and direct people to behavioral health treatment. Instead of merely dismissing misdemeanor cases for people who are not deemed competent to stand trial — a practice that can lead to a cycle of “catch and release,” but no treatment of a person's mental illness — the new model will send some people into a diversion program in which a full-time “forensic peer navigator” is assigned to help connect them with treatment providers for three to six months before the case is dismissed, according to a fact sheet from the state's Administrative Office of the Courts. The launch of the pilot program in San Miguel County comes weeks after Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham convened a special legislative session on public safety, initially aimed in part at better addressing the mental health competency of people accused in criminal cases, as well as making it easier to mandate treatment for some people outside of the court system with psychiatric conditions. Gov. Grisham withdrew her mental health competency measure before the start of the session, however, after lawmakers raised concerns about rushing big changes to a complicated system. The session ended just hours after it started, with the legislature approving just one bill. The so-called feed bill, providing funds to hold the session, included $3 million to fund assisted outpatient treatment programs and competency diversion pilot programs for people with mental health issues. The governor signed it into law in late July. In San Miguel County, the pilot will begin with two full-time forensic peer navigators, who will serve a total of 12 participants. The program is funded through June 2025, and Aragon said he hopes it can be expanded to include between 25 and 30 people by that time.