Miami County Mental Health Court celebrates first graduate

For Scott, the Miami County Mental Health Court was literally a lifesaver.

A Piqua resident, Scott entered the new program in June 2022, its first month of operations in the county.

Last week, he became the program’s first graduate in a celebration in the courtroom of Common Pleas Court Judge Stacy Wall, who leads and oversees the court.

It wasn’t an easy journey for Scott, who Wall said she knows hated her at times as she, other program staff and fellow court program participants encouraged him.

Among Scott’s achievements have been maintaining employment since May 2023, having no police contact since 2022 and being in the same housing since November 2022.

His goals on entering the program were not extensive. He simply “wanted to know what it felt like to be normal” after criminal and mental health challenges, Wall said.

During the graduation, a statement written by Scott was read by his program supervisor.

“He was afraid to talk to people about his mental health problem because he thought that they would make fun of him,” said Jonathan Kanet, adding Scott credited the court with saving his life.

"Normal to me is being happy, being in good spirits instead of being down in the dumps all of the time,” Scott wrote.

Each person’s journey through the court is different, Wall said. Scott would take a step forward but then fall back. This occurred more than once. A number of themes including music and relaxation techniques can be used by participants to address various issues along the way.

The court is voluntary and intended for people charged with felony offenses who have been diagnosed with certain mental health disorders amenable to treatment. Participants can be referred from several sources.

Among criteria for participants are:

- The offender is charged with a non-violent felony

- The offense is an F-3, F-4 or F-5 level

- The offender cannot face a sexually oriented offense or have a status of sex offender

- Is a county resident

- The offender’s mental health disorder was a factor in the behavior that resulted in the charge(s) and, unless treated, the disorder is likely to contribute to future criminal actions

- The offender has a pattern of severe and persistent mental illness

- The offender is appropriate for care available in the community.

More information on the Mental Health Court is available on the Common Pleas Court’s website.