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Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and Our Courts

2 minute read

M.O.R.E. and GJSH continue with the third week of this informative 8-part series, this time delving into two common issues for persons appearing before the courts: neurodiversity, mental health, and substance abuse disorders.

Nicola Henry-Taylor is an attorney who has worked with families and children dealing with both mental health and substance abuse issues, and Tim Grealish is a substance abuse counselor and placement specialist who has been working with Magistrates in the south hills to help litigants get treatment, not convictions. Hilary Wheatley Taylor is a candidate for Magistrate in Dormont and Mt. Lebanon who is seeking to employ these strategies and advocates for ending the criminalization of mental illness.

Our panelists will talk about strategies they’ve seen work, and things that are not working, as we discuss how we can move our courts toward a system where neurodivergent people and those with mental health and substance abuse disorders have accommodations, support, and/or treatment provided and are not left without resources after they leave the courtroom.


Real Talk on Our Courts

This episode is part 2 of an 8-part series. Check out the full list below:

  1. Why are there So Many People in Our Jail? featuring Hilary Wheatley Taylor and Giuseppe Rosselli
  2. The Police, District Attorney, and Our Courts featuring Hilary Wheatley Taylor, Lisa Middleman, and Laura Perkins
  3. Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and Our Courts featuring Hilary Wheatley Taylor, Nicola Henry-Taylor, and Tim Grealish
  4. Kids in Our Courts featuring Hilary Wheatley Taylor, Tiffany Sizemore, and Ghadah Makoshi
  5. Why Should We Care About Family Division? featuring Judge Elliot C. Howsie, Sabrina Korbel, and Alyssa Cowan
  6. Restorative Justice and Post-Trial Relief featuring Hilary Wheatley Taylor, Zeke Rediker, and Richard Garland
  7. Landlords, Tenants, and Our Courts featuring Hilary Wheatley Taylor, Judge Mik Pappas, Prof. Jerry Dickinson, and Daniel Vitek
  8. Fines, Fees, and Our Courts featuring Hilary Wheatley Taylor, Chelsa Wagner, and Wrenna Watson