Sequential Intercept Model Analysis

Introduction According to The National Conference of State Legislatures (2007), “nearly two million adolescents are arrested in the United States each year” (p.4). Of this overwhelming rate, roughly 70% of these youth experience a mental health disorder (Hammond, 2007). Even more shocking, “one in four experiences a mental health disorder so severe that it impairs their ability to function as a young person and grow into a responsible adult” (Hammond, p.4, 2007). Not only are these youth experiencing high mental health rates, the National Mental Health Association reported that between 30 and 50 percent also experience behavioral health disorders (Hammond, 2007). Without adequate treatment, these youth will continue down a dark path that leads them straight to the adult criminal justice system. Therefore, the following addresses significant challenges in relation to police and juveniles with mental and behavioral health disorders, particularly while in school, as a means to provide appropriate responses that deter the number of youth that fall victim to the juvenile justice system upon intercept one of the Sequential Intercept Model (SIM). This analysis begins by presenting a brief introduction of the Sequential Intercept Model to provide readers with a better understanding of intercept one as it relates to the current issue. It then covers a detailed
The primary objective of this model is to provide opportunities that limit the criminalization of persons with mental illness. Each point of intercept within this model provides a chance for an intervention to occur as a means to divert persons with mental illness from entering or diving deeper into the criminal justice system (Munetz & Griffin,