On August 21, Chief Superior Court Judge Ann Harris led a graduation ceremony for the Cobb County Mental Health Accountability Court, recognizing five individuals who completed the program. The event included county officials, community partners, and families in support of the graduates’ progress. One graduate said, “Mental Health Court has allowed me to reconnect to the best part of me.”
Judge Harris acknowledged the determination shown by participants and highlighted their achievements as examples for others facing similar difficulties. She stated, “So much of a judge’s job is dealing with difficult situations, difficult people, and bad choices. Presiding over Mental Health Court is a joy. To see these folks come from places of despair to hope, from failure to success, from mental ‘unhealth’ to good and stable mental health, is so rewarding. When they complete this program, our participants are equipped with the tools to maintain good mental health for the rest of their lives and be thriving members of their families, their circle of friends, and our community at large.”
The Mental Health Court offers people with mental health disorders who face criminal charges an opportunity for treatment instead of incarceration. The 18-24 month program connects participants with therapy services, substance use treatment options, and other resources that encourage recovery and stability. Senior Assistant District Attorney Maurice Brown said, “Working with these participants daily reinforces for me the redemptive nature of our accountability courts. Their amazing progress is solid evidence of how these programs turn lives around and improve our communities.”
The court relies on partnerships such as Highland Rivers Behavioral Health for treatment services and WorkSource Cobb for educational and employment support during rehabilitation efforts. Judge Harris added appreciation for local government backing: “We also appreciate Cobb County’s financial support of all of our accountability court programs and hope we can continue to count on that assistance.”
For information about referring someone to Mental Health Court or learning more about its operations, contact Coordinator Melanie Valentine at 770-528-8106 or visit www.CobbCounty.Gov/MentalHealthCourt.
Cobb County schools enrolled 115,076 students in the 2022-23 school year according to state data (https://www.gadoe.org/). Enrollment increased by less than 0.1% compared to the previous year (https://www.gadoe.org/), with white students representing 33% of the student body during that period (https://www.gadoe.org/).
