Mental Health Courts

Mental Health Courts are specialized treatment courts for eligible justice involved individuals living with mental illness that substitute a problem-solving model for traditional justice system case processing. Through partnership with community providers and resources, judges and court staff are able to connect participants with mental health supports to help manage symptoms and regain their mental wellness.  Mental health courts require participants to attend court regularly for frequent appearances in front of the judge, status updates, and program monitoring.

In Tennessee, a handful of courts pioneered the model for several years.  The movement received a significant boost when the Tennessee General Assembly passed the Mental Health Treatment act of 2022.  This legislation provided recurring funding to expand and support the mental health court model in Tennessee.  As of May 2024, there are 18 Mental Health Courts in Tennessee.

Tennessee Treatment Court Contacts

This document includes court coordinators, judges, and more for all types of treatment courts in Tennessee.  Click here to download the .pdf file.