Reflections From a Zero Suicide Initiative Court [HuffingtonPost.com]

Last year was a wake-up call for me, as I read the New York Times. The rate of suicide in the U.S. has surged to a 30-Year High. As a member of the Executive Committee of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention I realized the responsibility I had (as a Mental Health Court Judge) to break the silence surrounding suicide. In declaring Broward’s Mental Health Court, a Zero Suicide Initiative Court, I integrated suicide prevention into the court process as a core fidelity. As stated by CEO and President of RI International, David W. Covington, “How big is your dream?” In this regard, the vision of Zero Suicide is aspirational. The goal aligns with the mission of a therapeutic problem-solving court dedicated to the decriminalization of people with mental illness and co-occurring disorders. In this regard, I understand my potential as a judge to influence and educate court participants and the community on the importance of seeking mental health care, the promotion of well-being and public safety.