Vic Armstrong
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Mental Health Court: A Conversation with Judge Ginger Lerner Wren
Mental Health Court: A Conversation with Judge Ginger Lerner Wren
Mental Health Court: A Conversation with Judge Ginger Lerner Wren
Wednesday 26th March 2025
Judge Ginger Lerner-Wren discusses the transformative power of America's first Mental Health Court with host Vic Armstrong.
28 minutes
Inspiring
Informative
Compassionate
Supportive
Engaging
About this podcast
Author:
Vic Armstrong
Overview:
Categories:
Body & Mind
Sobriety Toolkit
Healing Relationships
Sexual Empowerment & Identity
Innovative Treatments & Recovery Paths
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Episodes:
22 (View all)
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Episode Overview
- Judge Ginger Lerner-Wren established America's first Mental Health Court in 1997.
- The court aims to decriminalise mental illness using a human rights model.
- Therapeutic jurisprudence plays a key role in the court's approach.
- The Zero Suicide initiative is integrated into the court's processes.
- Community support and collaboration are essential for the court's success.
It's stories like that, that you just can't believe how important this work is
Ever wondered how a court can be compassionate and transformative? This episode of the Strong Talk Podcast dives into the pioneering work of Judge Ginger Lerner-Wren, who established America's first Mental Health Court in 1997. Hosted by Victor (Vic) Armstrong, MSW, Vice President for Health Equity and Engagement at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the discussion offers a fascinating look at how the court system can support individuals with mental health challenges rather than criminalising them.
Judge Lerner-Wren shares her journey from a background in disability rights to overseeing a specialised court aimed at decriminalising mental illness. Her stories are not only eye-opening but also heartwarming, like the tale of an accountant she helped through a crisis, showing the profound impact of compassion in the judicial system. The conversation also covers the importance of therapeutic jurisprudence and the innovative Zero Suicide initiative within the Mental Health Court.
If you're curious about how legal systems can evolve to be more supportive and humane, this episode is a must-listen. Judge Lerner-Wren’s insights and Vic Armstrong’s thoughtful questions make for an engaging and inspiring conversation. Tune in to learn more about this groundbreaking approach to justice and mental health.