Judges' guide to adult mental health jargon
Who should read this?
- Judges
- Judicial officers
- Court administrators
- Court staff
Why this guidance matters
Judges routinely encounter individuals whose cases are affected by mental illness, trauma, substance use, or limited access to behavioral health services. In civil, family, and criminal courts, mental health issues are the rule, not the exception, in court-involved adults.
These factors can influence how individuals understand proceedings, communicate with the court, and comply with court orders. Awareness of how trauma and mental illness shape behavior is critical to understanding the underlying factors that influence risk, behavior, and long-term outcomes.
This resource was developed to help judges better understand mental health, communicate more effectively with individuals who have mental health needs, and apply mental health knowledge to judicial decision-making and community-based initiatives.
The guide's overview includes:
- Overarching concepts
- Screening and assessment
- Diagnoses
- Mental health treatment and intervention
- Treatment and supports
- Local informational interview prompts
- Self-reflection and assessment
- Commonly used acronyms
- Medication table
Note: This guide is intended for informational use only. Individual diagnoses, assessments, and treatment recommendations can be made only by mental health professionals with direct knowledge of the individual for whom services are being considered.
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