Improving Mental Health Care for Adults in Crisis Involved with the Criminal Legal System

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating how to improve mental health treatment for people in crisis who interact with the criminal-legal system, focusing on suicide prevention and better care coordination across healthcare, legal, and community systems. The study aims to address challenges in tracking and helping individuals who move between jails, police, and healthcare providers, with the goal of reducing suicide rates in the U.S. The trial includes three study groups Treatment as Usual TAU using electronic health record reviews to identify police involvement the FSJS group involving mental health-focused police follow-up and community partnerships and the FSJSNavigator group which adds a community health worker in the Emergency Department to improve communication and support. Participants are identified based on police contact and emergency department visits, with age ranges from 18 to 100 years. Participants will be assessed at the start and after 12 months for suicide attempts and suicide risk using specialized questionnaires. Researchers will also track interactions with the criminal legal system and healthcare usage over one year. The study includes ongoing monitoring and follow-up to evaluate mental health outcomes and service use, with a total participation period of 12 months.

Improving Mental Health Treatment for Individuals in Crisis Interacting With the Criminal-Legal System