Certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Dr. Susan Turner serves patients from her New York City-based private practice. Alongside her work as a psychiatrist, Dr. Susan Turner contributes to her profession through membership in the American Psychiatric Association (APA).
A study published in the APA’s Psychiatric Services in Advance medical journal shows mental health courts help curb recidivism among individuals with mental illness who have a prior history in the justice system. The use of these courts has grown in recent years, with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reporting that there are now approximately 350 mental health courts in operation throughout the country.
Conducted by researchers at North Carolina State University, the study showed that while participating in mental health courts for any period of time has a large impact on sentencing for repeat offenders, those who completed the programs were less likely to re-offend at all. Researchers say the results warrant further study to determine the full benefit of mental health courts.
