Hays County Mental Health Court to Celebrate Largest Graduating Class Yet at Public Commencement Ceremony in San Marcos
Eighteen individuals who have worked to rebuild their lives through the Hays County Mental Health Court (MHC) program will be recognized during a public commencement ceremony on June 15, marking the largest graduating class in the program’s history.
The ceremony, scheduled from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Hays County Elections Building, 120 Stagecoach Trail in San Marcos, will celebrate participants who have completed the court’s intensive treatment and accountability program. Community members are invited to attend and hear from graduates, alumni and program leaders as they share stories of recovery, growth and perseverance.
For families across Hays County, the event highlights a growing effort to address mental health challenges through treatment and support rather than solely through the traditional criminal justice system. It also serves as a reminder of the role community resources can play in helping individuals regain stability, reconnect with loved ones and build a path forward.
A Program Focused on Recovery and Accountability
The Hays County Mental Health Court serves adults ages 17 and older who have a diagnosable mental health disorder and a pending criminal charge in Hays County. Prospective participants undergo a structured referral and screening process before being accepted into the program.
Participants receive coordinated support that may include counseling, case management, housing assistance, transportation services and connections to additional community-based resources.
According to Mental Health Court Judge Elaine Brown, Hays County has established contracts and partnerships that allow the court to provide a comprehensive network of services designed to support participants throughout their recovery journey.
“Many utilize services such as residential treatment, sober living and peer support,” Brown said. “All these services work hand-in-hand to support their mental health, physical health and help them gain confidence in working towards their personalized goals.”
The program typically lasts 12 months for misdemeanor offenses and 18 months for felony offenses, with possible extensions when needed.
Success Measured Beyond the Courtroom
Unlike traditional court programs that may focus primarily on compliance, the Mental Health Court evaluates success through long-term stability and personal progress.
Participants work toward goals that may include securing employment, returning to school, maintaining stable housing, improving family relationships and managing their mental health effectively.
To graduate, participants must demonstrate sustained progress by following treatment plans, maintaining sobriety from drugs and alcohol, complying with court requirements and stabilizing their mental health conditions, including medication adherence when prescribed.
Those accomplishments often represent significant personal milestones that extend far beyond resolving a legal case.
One Graduate’s Journey
Among this year's graduates is Tristan, a 22-year-old Dripping Springs resident whose experience reflects the life-changing impact the program can have.
After struggling with substance use and experiencing a mental health crisis, Tristan was arrested and later referred to the Mental Health Court by his attorney.
“I was going downhill,” Tristan said.
What followed was a period of treatment, accountability and support that helped him regain direction and confidence.
“I really love working with all the people in the [Mental Health Court]. A lot of times, you think of these types of programs as people just doing their job, but I didn’t even see it as a program. I saw these people as friends — someone who is actually trying to help you … I had everything hanging over my head and [the MHC] was like a breath of fresh air,” Tristan said.
Today, he is employed, has returned to healthy fitness routines and is focused on continuing his recovery.
“It’s definitely changed my life for the better; it gave me confidence and really helped me decipher and resolve what happened, and also how I’ve been able to bounce back from it,” he added.
Why the Commencement Matters
The June 15 commencement is more than a graduation ceremony. It represents hundreds of hours of treatment, counseling, goal-setting and personal commitment by participants determined to create a better future.
For Hays County residents, the event offers a firsthand look at how collaborative mental health programs can support public safety while helping individuals address underlying challenges that contribute to involvement with the criminal justice system.
The ceremony will include remarks from alumni and graduates, as well as a special performance, creating an opportunity for the broader community to celebrate the achievements of participants and the support networks that helped them succeed.
What Happens Next
As the Mental Health Court continues to grow, this year’s record-setting graduating class demonstrates increasing participation and the ongoing demand for mental health-focused intervention programs in Hays County.
Residents interested in learning more about the Hays County Mental Health Court or attending the June 15 commencement ceremony can contact the Hays County Mental Health Court Office at 512-757-0795 or email kaimi.mattila@hayscountytx.gov.
For many graduates, commencement marks the end of a program. For their families, friends and supporters, it marks the beginning of a new chapter built on stability, resilience and hope.
Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for more local stories highlighting community programs, public services and the people making a difference across Hays County.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
