San Francisco is set to become one of the first seven counties in California to implement the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act, aimed at providing assistance and support to individuals with mental health disorders, particularly in accessing care and housing.
Under the CARE Court program, various individuals, including first responders, family members, and concerned individuals, can file petitions to ensure individuals in need receive mental health assistance. While participation in the program remains voluntary, judges hold significant influence, and they can order treatment plans.
Dr. Angelica Almeida of San Francisco’s Department of Public Health explained that CARE Court represents an opportunity to offer community-based treatment to individuals with untreated mental illnesses in the community.
The program is designed to address mental health challenges differently, potentially assisting thousands of individuals experiencing homelessness in San Francisco who may meet the criteria, particularly those with schizophrenia spectrum diagnoses.
Tal Klement, Deputy for the San Francisco Public Defender’s office Mental Health Unit, highlighted that while participation is voluntary, the court can order treatment plans, adding a level of coercion to the program.
However, the Mental Health Association of San Francisco opposes CARE Court, emphasizing the need for a diverse range of perspectives and opinions in discussions and decisions surrounding mental health initiatives.
