Thursday, March 28, 2024
46.0°F

MITCHELL: Mental health champion

| May 11, 2018 1:00 AM

Judge Mitchell’s contributions to Kootenai County are vast. Most notably, he championed the start of Mental Health Court in Kootenai County, which was the second in the state of Idaho. Mental Health Court provides an alternative to prison and focuses on recovery from mental illness and drug addiction.

Mitchell operates with compassion, but also from a “tough love” perspective. He genuinely cares about the participants in his program and holds sessions outside traditional working hours. This program motivates participants and changes lives. Many graduates are inspired and go on to serve the mental health community in Kootenai County. Mental Health Court’s efficacy in reducing criminal recidivism when compared to traditional criminal courts has been established through multiple studies as reported by the American Psychiatric Association. This program makes a difference and is needed in Kootenai County.

Judge Mitchell’s experience, compassion and dedication to recovery for those with mental illness and drug addiction has served our community well over the past 16 years and we need him to continue his great work. Please join me in voting to keep Judge Mitchell on the District 1 Bench.

ARIANA DAY

Coeur d’Alene