Mental Illness
Evidence-based Practices, Policy Recommendations, and Implementation Resources
GAINS Center for Mental Health Services serves as a clearinghouse for information through the National GAINS Center in the Justice System and the Technical Assistance and Policy Analysis Center for Jail Diversion (TAPA).
The National GAINS Center facilitates collaboration between mental health and criminal justice systems and provides planning and technical assistance for the implementation of evidence-based programs. Visit their Publications webpage for more information.
TAPA is a national source of research and information on jail diversion programs, from policy development and analysis through program implementation and evaluation. Visit their website to learn more about implementing jail diversion for people with mental illness and Texas jail diversion programs by county.
Council of State Government’s (CSG) Criminal Justice/Mental Health Consensus Project provides information and technical assistance to states seeking to improve access to and coordination of mental health treatment within the criminal justice system.
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2002 Consensus Project Report is a collaborative work from over 100 criminal justice and mental health practitioners across the country and comprises 47 policy statements intended to provide foundation and guidance to improve the criminal justice system's response to a person with mental illness.
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The Advocacy Handbook is a resource guide for implementing the recommendations of the 2002 Consensus Project Report.
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Assessing the Effectiveness of Jail Diversion Programs for Persons with Serious Mental Illness and Co-Occurring Substance Use Disorders is an analysis of six sites in the SAMHSA Jail Diversion Initiative by Henry J. Steadman and Michelle Naples published in Behavioral Sciences and the Law 23(2): 163-170, 2005
In 2007, the Texas Mental Health Task Force was selected to participate in the CGS Chief Justice-Led Task Force Initiative. The goal of the Task Force is to improve outcomes for Texans with mental illness involved in the criminal justice system.
Resources for Judges and Attorneys and Other Court Personnel
"Texas Criminal Procedure and the Offender with Mental Illness," 3rd Edition by Brian D. Shannon and Daniel H. Benson, published by the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) – Texas with support from the Texas Bar Foundation and Texas Tech University School of Law, is intended as an educational tool for members of the bench and bar to better understand issues of the mentally ill as they come in contact with the criminal justice system. Visit the NAMI – Texas website for to obtain a copy of this book.
Texas Appleseed has the following resources and handbooks on mental illness for Texas Defense Attorneys and Judges:
The Council of State Governments offers the following resources to aid court personnel to better understand and assist individuals with mental illness:
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Explanation of Federal Medicaid and Disability Program Rules A source of important information to increase positive outcomes for the mentally ill and reduce recidivism.
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Ensuring Timely Access to Medicaid and SSI/SSDI for People with Mental Illness Released from PrisonThe Judges’ Guide to Mental Health Jargon: A Quick Reference for Justice System Practitioners is a joint publication by the Council of State Governments Justice Center and the Gains TAPA Center available for purchase
Resources for Defendants and Offenders
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Finding Help When You’re in Trouble with the Law: A Handbook for Person’s With Mental Illness and Their Families by Texas Appleseed. This handbook is also published in Spanish.
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Handbook of Consumer Rights: Mental Health Services by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)
Education and Advocacy Organizations for the Mentally Ill:
NMHA of Texas
8401 Shoal Creek Boulevard
Austin, TX 78757
Phone: 512-454-3706
Fax: 512-454-3725
Treatment Advocacy Center (TAC)
200 N. Glebe Road, Ste. 730
Arlington, VA 22203
Phone: 703-294-6001/6002
Fax: 703-294-6010
Email: info@treatmentadvocacycenter.org
Arlington, VA 22203
Phone: 703-294-6001/6002
Fax: 703-294-6010
Email: info@treatmentadvocacycenter.org
Mental Health America of Texas
1210 San Antonio Street, Suite 200
1210 San Antonio Street, Suite 200
Austin, Texas 78701
Phone: 512-454-3706
Phone: 512-454-3706
Fax: 512-454-3725
E-mail: mhainfo@mhatexas.org
E-mail: mhainfo@mhatexas.org
MHA is an original affiliate of the national organization, Mental Health America and state outreach partner for the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
NAMI Texas
Fountain Park Plaza III
2800 S. I-35, Suite 140
Austin, TX 78704
Phone: 512-693-2000
Toll-free: 800-633-3760
Fax: 512-693-8000
E-mail: rpeyson@namitexas.org
Fountain Park Plaza III
2800 S. I-35, Suite 140
Austin, TX 78704
Phone: 512-693-2000
Toll-free: 800-633-3760
Fax: 512-693-8000
E-mail: rpeyson@namitexas.org
608 Morrow Street, Ste. 103
Austin, TX 78752
Phone: 1-800-860-6057
Visit NAMI Texas to learn more about their Texas legislative public policy priorities and to find more information about their local affiliates, group discussions, and awareness events.
SAMHSA’s National Mental Health Information Center provides several important resources to individuals and families dealing with mental illness:
The Mental Health Facilities Locator is a searchable database for treatment and support providers in Texas according to location and type of care needed.
The Mental Health Services Directory lists mental health research, training, liaison, and advocacy organizations in Texas.
Texas Council of Community Mental Health Mental Retardation Centers, Inc.
Westpark Building 3, Ste. 240
8140 North Mopac Expressway
8140 North Mopac Expressway
Austin, TX 78759
Phone: 512-794-9268
Phone: 512-794-9268
Fax: 512-794-8280
Email: office@txcouncil.com
Advocacy, Inc.
7800 Shoal Creek Blvd. #171-E
Austin, TX 78757-1024
Phone: 512-454-4816 (V/TDD)
Austin, TX 78757-1024
Phone: 512-454-4816 (V/TDD)
Toll-free: 1-800-252-9108 (V/TDD)
Fax: 512-323-0902
Fax: 512-323-0902
Email: infoai@advocacyinc.org
Advocacy, Inc. works to protect and advance the legal, human and service rights of people with disabilities, including individuals with mental illness through casework, litigation, education, and policy advocacy. Visit their website to locate an Advocacy Inc. regional or satellite office. For information about the legal rights of individuals with mental illness receiving voluntary and involuntary treatment in Texas facilities visit their Handouts page.
Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
1101 15th Street, NW, Suite 1212
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 202-467-5730
Fax: 202-223-0409
Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law provides litigation, policy advocacy, and public education to promote choice and dignity for people with mental illness, including efforts to combat criminalization of the mentally ill.
Media coverage of the Mentally Ill in Prisons:
Frontline video presentation “The New Asylums” reports on the problems associated with incarcerating the nation’s mentally ill in state prisons.