According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness, one in five Americans find themselves in a mental health crisis in any given year. That means that 43.8 Americans yearly suffer from mental illness. Today we are in a crisis in treating people with mental illness. Access to care has been significantly curtailed by the closure of numerous mental health clinics. Often people with serious mental illness get help only if and when they hit rock bottom and are fortunate enough to be hospitalized at a facility which is pro-active in mental health treatment. Sometimes necessary mental health treatment is only provided once a person with mental illness becomes a defendant in a criminal case. To complicate matters more, often persons with mental illness refuse to cooperate with available treatment. Families are confused and frustrated with the law and with options for treatment. Our panel will focus on some legal parameters of treatment, and on programs which have been shown to be successful in encouraging voluntary cooperation with mental health treatment. Topics and speakers: Finding Housing for Mentally Ill Patients and Providing Services for Them Stephen Brown, Director of Preventive Emergency Medicine, University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System AOT (Agreed Outpatient Treatment) Grant Kristine Lynch, AOT Effectiveness of AOT Hon. Maureen Ward Kirby, County Division, Circuit Court Cook County Success of Voluntary Mental Health Treatment in Lieu of Prison Time Emily Cole, Assistant State's Attorney Supervisor, Alternative Sentencing/Prosecution Unit Services Provided by Living Rooms in the Community Kimberly Knack, NAMI Metro Suburban Moderator: Marcella Horan, Assistant State's Attorney; Chair, CBA Mental Health & Disability Law Committee 2.75 IL MCLE Credit Also Live Webcast $0 CLE-Advantage & Law Student Members/$60 Gov't Member/$80 Member/$160 Nonmember ($10 on-site registration fee applies). See Webcast pricing online. Register