May is Mental Health Awareness Month
(Woodland, CA) – May 4, 2022 – In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Yolo County District Attorney’s next Commons Town Hall meeting will focus on the issue of helping individuals who have committed crimes as a result of their mental illness. A very high percentage of people who commit crimes in Yolo County are living with a mental illness and/or substance use disorder. Although the District Attorney’s primary focus is ensuring public safety, many of these individuals can and are being diverted out of the criminal justice system and are receiving treatment and services.
On May 10, 2022 at 3 pm, there will be a discussion about the numerous programs available in Yolo County’s criminal justice system which provide services to hundreds of people living with mental illness who are also criminally justice involved. These programs include Mental Health Court, Addiction Intervention Court, the Mental Health Diversion program, the Harm Reduction program, and the Restorative Justice Partnership.
Chief Deputy Jonathan Raven will discuss these programs and talk to two mothers whose sons live with mental illness and who are advocates for their sons and also for others. One of the mothers, Gladys Mitchell, is a member of the District Attorneys Multi-Cultural Community Council which helped develop the DA’s data transparency portal called Commons. Mitchell is also a Governor appointee to the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission (MHSOAC). MHSOAC oversees the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) that was passed by California voters in 2004 and is funded by a one percent tax on millionaires for mental health needs.
Register for the next Town Hall meeting at https://yoloda.org/commons-town-hall-meetings/
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