WEST GOSHEN — Court officials, elected leaders and mental health professionals gathered at the Chester County Government Services Center on Monday to hold the first in a series of statewide conferences to address how the justice system can best address the growing mental and behavioral health crisis sweeping Pennsylvania and the nation.
The summit brought together judges, court staff, behavioral health professionals, county officials, law enforcement and others working at the intersection of justice and behavioral health. The goal was to share best practices, address challenges and continue building a coordinated approach that prioritizes treatment and support over unnecessary court involvement and incarceration.
The daylong event was kicked off with remarks by state Supreme Court Justice Kevin M. Dougherty and Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, both of whom said the issue needed collaboration among all participants in the court system to help those who experience mental health lapses and find themselves at odds with the law…