title: Short- and Long-Term Outcomes of Mental Health Court Participants by Psychiatric Diagnosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The goal of mental health courts (MHCs) is to decrease incarceration and recidivism while increasing continuity of mental health treatment. Although previous research has found positive outcomes, questions remain unanswered regarding the population for which MHCs work best. No studies have assessed potential differences in MHC outcomes by psychiatric diagnosis. This study filled the gap by addressing the following research question: Are there differences in short-term program outcomes and in long-term recidivism and mental health engagement outcomes by psychiatric diagnosis?
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was a cross-site evaluation of eight MHCs in a single state. To assess long-term outcomes, this study analyzed data from participants who had been discharged from an MHC for at least one year (N=234). Four diagnostic categories were used: bipolar disorder, depressive disorder, schizophrenia, and "other" disorder. Demographic, programmatic, recidivism, and mental health treatment data for each individual were collected from state administrative agencies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The findings suggest no differences by diagnosis in short-term outcomes or recidivism; however, significant reductions in use of high-intensity mental health services were noted for individuals with schizophrenia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings support inclusive eligibility for MHC participation across diagnostic categories and should inform policy and practice in regard to MHC development and operation. Future research should examine other key characteristics to determine ways in which resources can be best utilized.
authors.affiliation: Dr. Comartin is with the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, Social Work and Criminal Justice, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan (e-mail: comartin@oakland.edu ). Dr. Kubiak is with the School of Social Work, and Ms. Tillander is with the School of Social Work, both at Michigan State University, East Lansing. Dr. Ray is with the School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis. Ms. Hanna is with the School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan.
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Comartin
authors.affiliation: Dr. Comartin is with the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, Social Work and Criminal Justice, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan (e-mail: comartin@oakland.edu ). Dr. Kubiak is with the School of Social Work, and Ms. Tillander is with the School of Social Work, both at Michigan State University, East Lansing. Dr. Ray is with the School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis. Ms. Hanna is with the School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan.
authors.forename: Sheryl Pimlott
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Kubiak
authors.affiliation: Dr. Comartin is with the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, Social Work and Criminal Justice, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan (e-mail: comartin@oakland.edu ). Dr. Kubiak is with the School of Social Work, and Ms. Tillander is with the School of Social Work, both at Michigan State University, East Lansing. Dr. Ray is with the School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis. Ms. Hanna is with the School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan.
authors.forename: Bradley
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ray
authors.affiliation: Dr. Comartin is with the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, Social Work and Criminal Justice, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan (e-mail: comartin@oakland.edu ). Dr. Kubiak is with the School of Social Work, and Ms. Tillander is with the School of Social Work, both at Michigan State University, East Lansing. Dr. Ray is with the School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis. Ms. Hanna is with the School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tillander
authors.affiliation: Dr. Comartin is with the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, Social Work and Criminal Justice, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan (e-mail: comartin@oakland.edu ). Dr. Kubiak is with the School of Social Work, and Ms. Tillander is with the School of Social Work, both at Michigan State University, East Lansing. Dr. Ray is with the School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis. Ms. Hanna is with the School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hanna
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D057237:Criminals / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005555:Forensic Psychiatry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services; D015146:Midwestern United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*