In 2018, the the Supreme Court of Texas and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals sat together for the first time to heard from judges, attorneys, psychiatrists, veterans, law enforcement, and individuals and family members who have been affected by mental health challenges and intellectual and developmental disabilities. One month later, the JCMH was established. 

Now, five years later, we are taking a look back at what our Commission has accomplished. 

Graduating from Judge Oscar Kazen’s AOT court changed Eric Smith’s life forever. His time in court helped him to stabilize and recover from bipolar disorder; afterward, he earned a master’s degree in social work and now advocates nationally for others with serious mental illness. Eric told his story at the 2022 Judicial Summit on Mental Health. 

Eric was recently featured in a People Magazine article! Read the story, "Schizophrenia Caused Eric Smith to Threaten His Mother's Life, but He Refused to Get Help — Here's Why" linked below.