In this final installment of Upfront Gwinnett: Suffering in Silence, we explore a pressing issue affecting many in our community: the silent struggle of those experiencing mental health crises. With the rise in mental health challenges, it's crucial that county courts adopt proactive and innovative approaches to provide much-needed support. This episode introduces us to professionals who have implemented a groundbreaking program designed to address this growing crisis head-on.

Gwinnett County Probate Judge Christopher Ballar has seen firsthand the emotional toll that mental health crises can take on families.

"When you have a crisis in your family, people often think it's at one level, but in reality, it may be far more severe. Applying the law to such emotional situations can be difficult, and many don't understand why their requests for help are sometimes denied," Ballar said.

The escalating mental health crisis in Gwinnett County has created a challenging environment for courts, community health providers, and families alike.

"We are seeing more and more people coming in and asking for orders to apprehend," Judge Ballar said, pointing to a surge in legal interventions as more residents seek help for loved ones.

In these cases, an "Order to Apprehend" becomes a drastic but necessary measure for immediate intervention.

 "We need law enforcement to go and intervene and involuntarily take this person to a facility," Ballar said.

When an Order to Apprehend is issued, the courts are often left with two choices: sending the individual home or directing them to View Point Health Crisis Stabilization. Chad Jones, Vice President of View Point Health, underscores the gravity of the situation, which worsened after the closure of state mental health facilities during the isolation phase of the pandemic.

"People were coming out of state hospitals where they had lived for 50 or 60 years, and then the pandemic hit, creating a crisis like we've never seen before," Jones said.

Recognizing the limitations of the existing system, Jones approached Judge Ballar with a crucial question: "How many of these cases fall into a gray area where they don't clearly meet the criteria for immediate intervention?" This inquiry led to the creation of the Probate Assessment and Support Services (PASS) pilot program in early 2023.

The PASS program, the first of its kind in Georgia and the nation, allows the probate court to refer individuals in the "gray area" to View Point Health for further assessment and support.

"When you're going into someone's home in a crisis, no one ever opens the door and says, 'I'm so glad you're here; come on in.' Stabilization comes first, and then we work towards satisfaction," Jones said. "We've received positive feedback from families, including heartfelt emails and messages of gratitude."

Efforts to improve mental health care in Gwinnett County extend beyond the PASS Program. District 3 Commissioner Jasper Watkins is actively involved in national and regional initiatives aimed at addressing mental health issues. Watkins serves on committees with the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) and the National Association of Counties (NACo) focused on mental health and wellness.

He believes that community connections are key to tackling these challenges

"We are open to talking to new organizations that want to assist, both within and outside the county,” Watkins said.

The success of the PASS program has led to its establishment as a long-term initiative in Judge Ballar's courtroom. Other counties are now looking to Gwinnett as a model for best practices in mental health crisis intervention.

Judge Ballar is optimistic about the program's impact.

“We're pushing the envelope a bit here, but the crisis demands that we do more. Has it been what I hoped for? Absolutely,” Ballar said.

As we conclude this episode of Upfront Gwinnett, we encourage you to stay informed, stay engaged, and most importantly, stay compassionate.

If you or a loved one are experiencing a crisis and need immediate assistance, call 988 to speak with a mental health professional or dial 911 for law enforcement support.