The pilot program Cristina and Jordan are working with has three clients today. You are part of the team that will be producing risk assessments for these three clients. The risk assessment simply makes the team aware of some of the likely problems the client may face and suggests services that could help them.

Case 1: Mickey

Mickey has a long history of mental health issues. He has been committed to the state mental hospital several times for schizophrenic episodes with paranoid features. He has never been violent, but he has a criminal record. His crimes include shoplifting, public disturbances, and occasional bizarre behavior related to his paranoia. For example, he was once arrested for trying to pull the “listening devices” out of police radios as officers tried to eat their lunches at a deli.

Mickey takes his medication when he has a caseworker to remind him, but he forgets without support. When he is taking his medication, he has few troubles with his paranoia and can work part-time.

Answer the following questions:

How might these challenges make Mickey more likely to break the law?
How might these challenges make Mickey more likely to be victimized?
What services might help Mickey avoid involvement with the criminal justice system?