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SAN MARCOS, Texas — The Hays County Mental Health Court (MHC) is proud to announce its seventh commencement ceremony, celebrating the achievements of 18 graduating participants — the largest graduation class to date. The public is invited to attend the ceremony, which will take place from 3-4:30 p.m. on June 15 at the Hays County Elections Building, 120 Stagecoach Trail, San Marcos. Alumni and two graduates will speak, and there will be a special performance. MHC serves individuals 17 years of age or older who have a diagnosable mental health disorder and a pending charge in Hays County. All potential participants complete a structured referral process and are reviewed by the MHC team to ensure eligibility. Tristan, 22, of Dripping Springs, is one such individual who has completed the program and will be graduating in this summer’s class. A bodybuilding enthusiast who also enjoys fishing, snowboarding and drawing, Tristan said he started partying in high school, occasionally using recreational marijuana to recover from bodybuilding. After going through a mental health crisis, he was arrested and referred to the Mental Health Court by his attorney. “I was going downhill,” Tristan said, noting how he saw an opportunity in all the resources the County offered to participants. According to Mental Health Court Judge Elaine Brown, the County has executed several contracts to provide counseling, case management, housing and transportation services to the participants. Additional community-based resources are identified and utilized by the Court to assist participants.” The program offers 12 months of services for misdemeanors, with a possible three-month extension, and 18 months for felony offenses, also with a possible three-month extension. Success in the Mental Health Court is measured by personal growth, stability and self-sufficiency. Participants work toward goals such as returning to school, securing employment, establishing stable housing and strengthening family relationships. “Many utilize services such as residential treatment, sober living and peer support,” said Brown. “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.” To complete the program, participants must stabilize their mental health, including consistent medication adherence (if prescribed), maintain sobriety from drugs and alcohol, achieve the goals in their individualized mental health and/or substance use treatment plan and follow all court orders, probation conditions and MHC program guidelines. Every graduate who has completed the program has a unique story of perseverance and transformation. “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 added, noting that he now has a job and is working out again with healthy recovery methods. “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.” This commencement ceremony celebrates not only the graduates’ achievements but also their dedication and commitment to rebuilding their lives. Each participant's success reflects their individual goals and the support of a dedicated treatment team walking beside them throughout their journey. For additional details about the ceremony or the Mental Health Court program, contact the Hays County Mental Health Court Office at 512-757-0795 or by email at k aimi.mattila@hayscountytx.gov . ###