The intersection of the criminal justice system and a behavioral health crisis is a hard crossroads to navigate. Mental Health Criminal Defense: A Primer is here to teach you the basics so that you, or someone you love, can understand how to use mental health related circumstances to prevail in a criminal case. Mental Health Criminal Defense: A Primer will teach you the terms and proceedings most often seen in mental health related cases, things that you can do to aid your loved one going through the system, and point you in the direction of some basic resources to help you along the journey. Our country is facing a crisis of criminalization of mental health related issues. For those facing charges, along with conditions such as serious mental illness, PTSD, traumatic brain injury, or severe mood disorders, and their families, there is so much fear and confusion. Knowledge is the first step to success in your case, and stigma should not keep you from a winning defense to your charges.