Department of Mental Health Law and Policy

Mental Health Law and Policy promotes academic excellence by providing leadership and opportunities that enhance manpower development and personal growth in a fully engaged learner-centered environment.

MHLP is one of eight departments in the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences and one of three departments in FMHI. MHLP is home to 35 faculty members, 42 administration employees, and 19 staff employees.

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MHLP strives to develop new knowledge and to disseminate this information to others so that, together, we can address some of society's most challenging issues. Our research efforts include the evaluation of drug and mental health courts, the development of programs treating persons with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders, the evaluation of managed care approaches for mental health services, and identification of improved informed consent procedures for persons with mental illness.

The department educates students to be intellectually and ethically informed individuals with well-defined skills and knowledge who are capable leaders, creative thinkers, and contributing participants in the realm of behavioral health.

The Department of Mental Health Law and Policy promotes excellence in professional training by providing leadership and opportunities that enhance development and personal growth in a fully engaged learner-centered environment. We train students and professionals to be intellectually and ethically informed, promote leadership skills and creative thinking, and develop advanced skills and knowledge related to behavioral health applications in community and justice settings. The Department provides advanced training and education programs for professionals working in the areas of child welfare, co-occurring disorders, forensic evaluation, homelessness, and AIDS/HIV prevention and treatment.