Charles Dike, MD, MPH, professor of psychiatry, and chief executive officer of the Connecticut Mental Health Center, has accepted an invitation to serve on the State of Connecticut Judicial Branch’s new Behavioral Health Court Task Force.
Created by Connecticut Chief Justice Raheem Mullins, the court will be located in New Haven and will serve adults facing criminal offenses who need additional behavioral health resources.
Dike will be among more than 24 members of the task force, which will study eligibility requirements for individuals to qualify to appear before the court, and whether juveniles could be served.
The task force includes doctors, mental health professionals, New Haven city and school leaders, and officials with the Connecticut Department of Children and Families.
According to the Connecticut Sentencing Commission and Mullins, 32% of Connecticut's incarcerated population has an active mental health disorder requiring treatment, while an additional 41% has a history of disorders, though not requiring active treatment.
The task force will meet for the first time September 15 and will be co-chaired by Mullins and Justice Joan Alexander, chief court administrator. Former Connecticut Supreme Court Associate Justice Joette Katz and Superior Court Judge Daniel Klau will serve as vice-chairs.