California's mental health CARE Court aims to help thousands with untreated psychotic disorders

CARE Court, a controversial and costly initiative set to launch in eight California counties by December before going statewide, gives hope to many.

Gov. Gavin Newsom, a fierce advocate for CARE Court, describes the current system as a"fail-first system" rather than a"care-first system." While Fisher, who also works as a mental health advocate, hopes her son never needs CARE Court, she said she wouldn't hesitate to initiate proceedings for it. Those in CARE Court will have access to a public defender and can refuse treatment without being sent to jail, but there's a catch. If someone in CARE Court does refuse treatment, a judge could refer them for conservatorship — an extreme outcome that strips them of rights and forces them to comply with treatment. Critics say the program, set to launch statewide by the end of next year, is coercive, removing choices and forcing treatment.

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