Bryan, Texas (KBTX) – The Brazos County Commissioner is expected to take the next step in bringing a veterans court and a mental health court to Brazos County.
Brazos County commissioners may meet tomorrow morning to create a commission to assess the need for treatment counties and/or mental health courts for veterans suffering from PTSD and substance abuse. Addressing the special needs of veterans living in the county, the Mental Health Court said it would address the growing mental health needs of those in the county…General Bentley Nettles will chair the committee.
Brazos County No. 2 Superintendent Chuck Konderla said the court should move quickly to assess what the best “product” is for local veterans and those in need of mental health care. said he wanted
“You don’t necessarily have to combine them unless the Commission decides that’s the best way to go, but it’s the best for people in our county who deserve special consideration when faced with legal issues. is to make a product of
Nettle is a lawyer and retired general with a purple heart. Commissioners have been eyeing both the Veterans Affairs and Mental Health Courts for some time now, and Peters said he is confident Nettles can help set up a commission.
“There are people who would be involved in the Veterans Court if it were created,” Peters said. “Judges, prosecutors, probation officers, and of course veterans, and a few others who need to be on that committee to make that decision and bring it back to the committee.”
Condella said the committee will look to see if the court could potentially redefine where someone is in life and put them on a straight path.
“This goes beyond politics and isn’t something you can take credit for immediately. It’s about getting people together and forming committees,” Condera said.
With so many veterans in Brazos County and the Brazos Valley, Brazos County District First Commissioner Steve Aldrich said he was ready to take the next step.
“Whoever writes a check on my behalf, and on behalf of our country, that my life owes me, fulfills their need that our need has been met.” If there’s something we have to do, we have to do it,” said Aldrich.
Peters said there has been an increase in mental health-related cases over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I think there are many times more non-military civilians in prison who have mental problems,” Peters said.
Aldrich said mental health care for inpatients often ends up in county jails because there aren’t many mental health facilities in Texas.
“I think there are a lot of underlying problems, problems exacerbated by COVID, and we need to be there to help people with those problems,” Aldrich said.
Even with the commission formed, it may still be some time before either specialized court goes to Brazos County, Peters said.
“We need to look at both and get some direction on what makes the most sense and how we can help that whole situation locally,” Peters said. rice field.
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