The City of Tuscaloosa will use $259,810 in federal funds from the U.S. Department of Justice to increase resources for people with mental illnesses.

U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell helped secure the grant, which will be used to design and implement the City of Tuscaloosa’s Mental Health Court Initiative.

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This initiative will provide new services for adults with mental disabilities or illnesses and reduce their involvement with the criminal justice system.

Sewell announced the grant in a Thursday news conference held at the Tuscaloosa City Hall.

“To often we hear from those who work in the criminal justice system about the lack of available resources and services for those suffering from mental illness,” said Sewell, who has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2011 and whose district includes part of Tuscaloosa County.

“We have seen the consequences of that right here in Alabama, which experienced one the highest rates of incarceration of any state in this nation,” Sewell said.

“When those who suffer from mental illness get involved in the criminal justice system, our first reaction should not be to imprison them, but rather to ensure that they have services and resources they need to get help and become productive citizens,” she said.

To address this issue, the Department of Justice has made funds available to implement Mental Health Courts in cities across the nation with a goal of transforming the way law enforcement responds to those with mental illnesses, Sewell said.

Sewell said she believes that there is “no better place” than Tuscaloosa to house a mental health court.

Mayor Walt Madox said mental health has always been a priority in Tuscaloosa, which is home to Bryce Hospital, the state’s largest mental health facility.

Maddox said the city and the Tuscaloosa Police Department are making efforts to help those with mental illnesses find the resources they need.

“No one who’s in mental health distress should find themselves trying to find treatment within a jail. They need to be with professionals getting the treatment they deserve,” said Maddox.

Sewell said this initiative will have a positive effect on Alabama’s mental health system.

“This initiative will strenghten Alabama’s mental health systems and impact the lives of many,” Sewell said.

Reach Jasmine Hollie at [email protected].