Mental Health Court Participants Graduate to New Life

Press Release: May 2008

The St. Lucie County Mental Health Court conducted its fourth graduation on May 13.  Judge Cynthia Cox presided over the ceremony that was held at the St. Lucie County Courthouse in downtown Ft. Pierce. 

It was a special day for the 43 graduates and the courtroom was filled to capacity as friends and family gathered to offer support and congratulations.  The graduates were being honored for completing the mental health court program and more importantly for turning their lives around. 

The men and women represented a cross section of the community…yet they all had something in common…they had a mental illness and had been charged with a misdemeanor or a felony.  Instead of being sentenced to jail, they were selected for mental health court and a special curriculum was developed for each person.

 Through the program, the men and women learned the importance of taking their medications, making responsible choices, and showing up for their weekly court dates with Judge Cox. “Through Mental Health Court we are able to wrap services around them and closely monitor their progress.” said Ann Posey, New Horizons.

As the adults progressed, they worked with their counselors to find jobs and many reconnected with their families.  Weekly court dates were extended to monthly meetings and finally graduation.  For some men and women, the program takes six months; for others, a year.  The reward for successfully completing their treatment plan and graduating is having their charges dismissed.

During the ceremony several graduates spoke to the crowd and expressed appreciation for the program. “I was in and out of trouble a lot and this is the best thing that ever happened to me.” said Tammy.  “ I have never worked for anything so hard in my life and now, I have my life back.”

“I was a hard nut to crack,” said Jason. “Thank God I’m still alive,”  “Judge Cox never gave up on me,” he said.  “Now I have a job, a family, a baby and a car…I couldn’t have done it by myself.”

Robert A. Butterworth, Secretary of the Florida Department of Children and Families, was the guest speaker, along with Public Defender Diamond Litty, and DCF Director Vern Melvin.

Secretary Butterworth praised the graduates and offered words of encouragement.  “You haven’t been given anything; you have earned your certificate and diploma,” he said. “You have done the most difficult thing a person can do…you have changed your own life.”

New Horizons is participating in St. Lucie Mental Health Court, an innovative program that was established in 2006.  Mental Health Court is a community-based program that addresses the needs of individuals with mental illness who are charged with a crime.  This successful program is a collaboration with the judiciary, state attorney, public defender, county and area mental health and substance treatment providers.  For additional information contact Judge Cynthia L. Cox at 772-462-2382.