Mental health access expands in Shelby Co.
The county has a mental health court for those who have a misdemeanor or a nonviolent crime, though you must have a documented mental health diagnosis. The Shelby County Commission approved the first-of-its-kind multi-million dollar mental health, safety, and justice center or MSJ in April. The MSJ is set to open in about two years for inmates and is expected to reduce crime and improve mental health across Shelby County. The projected cost is around $22 million paid for by federal funds and is being built next to the local county prison. June is Men’s Health Awareness Month, a reminder for more men to consider therapy or support groups. Therapist Tariq Pettis-Smith said he has seen a 25% increase in male clients post-pandemic.
发表 : 3个星期前 经过 Jerry Askin 在 Health
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - The county has a mental health court for those who have a misdemeanor or a nonviolent crime, though you must have a documented mental health diagnosis.
According to the Shelby County Mayor’s Office, more than two-thirds of inmates here in local jails have or have had a mental health problem.
Shelby County Commission approving the first-of-its-kind multi-million dollar mental health, safety, and justice center or MSJ back in April was key.
The plan for now is to open in about two years for inmates. The county hopes it’ll reduce crime and improve mental health across Shelby County.
Mayor Lee Harris shortly after the approval explained how it all works.
“Right now, we’re studying that. The county commission approved the mental health facility and also approved the funds to study where and how to build a new jail. So that is in process, but we are in the earliest of early stages,” said Mayor Harris.
He said the projected cost is around $22 million paid for by federal funds and is being built next to the local county prison.
June is Men’s Health Awareness Month and therapist Tariq Pettis-Smith said it’s a vital reminder now more than ever for more men to consider therapy or some kind of support group to show up better for themselves and their families.
Pettis-Smith said a big part of a man’s health is his mental health.
He said he’s seen about a 25% increase post-pandemic in male clients and he’s happy about it.
Pettis-Smith said he’s not seeing a direct correlation between mental health and crime.
He’s happy to hear about the Shelby County Commission approving the first-of-its-kind multi-million dollar mental health, safety, and justice center back in April.
It’s set to open in about two years for inmates.
“I am hoping they provide the necessary resources to prevent recidivism, to assist with any type of support and care that people need who may feel hopeless,” said Pettis-Smith.
The county hopes it’ll reduce crime and improve mental health across Shelby County.
Tariq Pettis-Smith said he believes more men may not be seeking therapy.
“I think it’s 100% about trusting someone that they don’t know because it may be trauma that they’ve experienced in the past and sharing some intimate information, whether it’s them sharing about how they feel about a situation and someone taking it and flipping it on them,” said Pettis-Smith.
He said trust really is a big factor and men, especially black men, often want to talk to a therapist who looks like them and they can relate too.
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话题: Social Issues