St. Louis County Mental Health Court Celebrates Graduation

DULUTH, Minn.– Despite the gloomy weather today, spirits were high to celebrate some significant achievements.

The St. Louis County Mental Health Treatment Court put on a graduation ceremony.

Today’s gathering reflected the rewarding hardships and hurdles that comes with participating.

The goal is to help overcome mental health and substance abuse struggles, and to learn useful coping mechanisms.

This was all celebrated with a potluck, and eventually some friendly competition on the volleyball court.

Chad Jasper, today’s graduate completed the 14-month course. And says, he is incredibly proud of how far he’s come.

“I slipped up two times, and I could have went to jail for a long time, and that could have ended up with me in prison. But now it’s amazing because I got a second chance, and I’m here, and I love life,” said Chad Jasper, Mental Health Court graduate.

For one of the judges at the mental health treatment court, Jasper was the first participant she saw through all five phases of the program.

“It’s like being a proud parent. I think I work really hard at creating relationships with each of my clients. So as a parent, you feel the losses when they don’t succeed, and you also feel the successes, and get to share in those as I said, I’m honored to be able to be a part of the journey to see redemption,” beamed Judge Amy Lukasavitz, Mental Health Court Judge, 6th Judicial District.

This graduation is perfect timing with ‘Mental Health Recovery Month’ being in September.

Because of the success with this program, we are told that they have been close to needing a wait list to enter.