Mental Health – The Key to the Kingdom

The title is neither politically correct nor entirely accurate, but it contains more than a grain of truth and it may have prompted your curiosity. Why we are here, who we are, and how can we better understand ourselves and improve how we interact with others are intriguing and worthwhile inquiries and endeavors. Have you ever considered the role of mental health on your own life, on your loved ones, on your community, or society in general?

Although fleeting, and too often ineffectual or underfunded, Congress, the Illinois legislature, and the Illinois Supreme Court have. Congress passed the Community Mental Health Act of 1963. The Illinois legislature has passed considerable legislation affecting mental health over the last five years. The Illinois Supreme Court has established the Advisory Committee for Justice and Mental Health Planning; Illinois College Committee on Probation Education; Committee on Equality (Equal Justice): Committee on Juvenile Courts; and the Court Probation Policy Advisory Board. Equally as significant, the Illinois Supreme Court has adopted a policy on the Access for People with Disabilities, provided the Illinois legislature a list of its decisions which “the General Assembly may wish to consider,” and established the Illinois Mental Health Task Force (IMHTF). The Illinois Supreme Court noted it was in a unique position to lead change by following the recommendations and using the resources developed by the National Judicial Task Force to examine the state court’s response to mental health concerns in Illinois.

In this last capacity the Illinois Supreme Court appointed Scott Block as the state court behavioral health administrator within its Administrative Office. Scott Block (sblock@illinoiscourts.gov) has worked to implement an educational and training program that brings awareness to the courts (as “convener” and “leaders”) to intercept models fostered by the National Judicial Task Force. This section council commends the Illinois Supreme Court and Mr. Block on their efforts.

The intercept model adopted increases the awareness of mental health, substance use abuse, and the consequences thereof on our criminal justice system, including the use of mental health tools to assist, supplement and enhance existing policies and procedures.

This section council will undertake an increased effort to keep ISBA members apprised of the activities and progress of state court behavioral health administration.

Mental Health Matters is a publication of the Mental Health Section Council, but it depends on its members to alert the ISBA and its members of developments, recommendations, and experiences warranting commendation, attention, or redress. The mission of our Section Council involves more than simply following legislation and reporting on caselaw. It reads as follows:

• To review proposed and existing statutes, legislation, rules and court decisions affecting persons with mental illnesses, substance abuse disorders and make recommendations to the Board of Governors concerning these matters.
• To provide training and education to lawyers concerning the interaction between mental illness and the law and legal practice.
• To provide information to mental health professionals and the public concerning laws and rules affecting persons with mental illnesses.  
• To collaborate with other professional and advocacy organizations to promote awareness of mental illnesses and mental health and to increase mental health services.

Future issues of this newsletter will include: responses to your inquiries, mental health tips, rudimentary understanding of cognitive behavioral therap, impact of social media upon mental health, and how to better understand why you are who you are. If you are not a member of the Mental Health Section, please consider joining.

Robert E. Wells, Jr., of Pessin, Baird & Wells, Belleville, IL, is the vice chair of the Mental Health Section Council. He can be contacted at wellslawadr@sbcglobal.net.