When Crissie Carpenter (MSSW 16’) saw gaps in how the justice system was responding to individuals with mental health needs, she got to work advocating for a different approach.
That work is now taking shape through the 23rd Judicial District Mental Health Court, a treatment-focused program Carpenter is helping bring to the region, expanding access across five counties in Tennessee.
The program will offer an alternative to the traditional judicial process by prioritizing accountability, stability, and access to mental health care.
“I never dreamed I would be doing something like this,” said Carpenter, a UT College of Social Work alumna. “It’s not what I intended my schooling to go toward, but the really cool thing about social work is how broad it is.”
And that path to social work began years earlier.
As a young widow and new mother, Carpenter experienced firsthand the impact of having someone willing to listen and support her through an overwhelming period of grief and healing. She later shifted her academic focus and decided to pursue a master’s in social work. “I knew how much it helped me having someone to speak to and talk to,” she said. “And I wanted to be able to help others.”
Seeing the Gaps and Stepping In
Carpenter said the UTCSW MSSW program helped her understand how broad the field of social work is and how it extends beyond clinical practice. That perspective became especially relevant years later, when her volunteer work and closer exposure to the justice system revealed significant gaps in how individuals with mental health needs were being served, particularly within local jails.
“There are individuals sitting in jail who need help from a mental health standpoint, and they’re just not getting the resources they need,” she said. “People aren’t being linked to reentry services. Things that should be happening just aren’t happening.”
After learning about mental health courts operating in other counties, Carpenter began researching whether the model could work in her home community of Dickson County and the surrounding area. She ended up presenting the idea to 23rd Judicial District Circuit Court Judge Joshua Turnbow, who quickly recognized its potential.
From there, the work accelerated—requiring buy-in from the district attorney, public defender, mayor, and state partners. Carpenter credits the success of the launch to collaboration and shared commitment.
“All of the work they put in is volunteer-based,” she said. “They agreed to this because they believe in it.”
How Mental Health Court is Different
Unlike traditional court proceedings, mental health court takes an individualized, treatment-focused approach. Participation is voluntary and limited to individuals with non-violent charges whose primary diagnosis is a mental health condition.
“I like to describe it as a gentle approach,” Carpenter explained. “We want to see the person as a whole person. We want to hear their story and help them find healing.”
Once launched, participants will move through a structured, five-phase program that includes therapy, medication management when appropriate, regular court check-ins, and intensive case management. Carpenter will serve as both a court coordinator and case manager, helping participants navigate everything from treatment plans to basic life needs.
“I want to help them build confidence,” she said. “Short-term goals, long-term goals… even things like getting a birth certificate or driver’s license. It’s about stabilization.”
Instead of defaulting to punitive sanctions, the mental health court emphasizes accountability with compassion. Missed appointments might result in reflective assignments or community service, while progress is rewarded through incentives that support stability, such as help with housing costs or utilities.
“The first option isn’t jail,” Carpenter said. “We still want to show love and understanding, while helping people learn and grow.”
Ultimately, the goal is long-term change.
“If someone keeps showing up at jail, the traditional approach hasn’t worked,” she said. “So why not try something different?”
The program is funded through a grant from the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and is expected to launch this spring, pending final state approval and training. While initial capacity is limited, Carpenter hopes the court will grow and serve as a model for other communities.
“I feel passion with this,” she said. “Being a voice for the voiceless is something I live by in my work.”