LOS ANGELES — Helping people with serious mental illnesses stay on their medication and off drugs is more than a passion for Viktoriya Stinson, executive director of Victory Starts Now, a nonprofit mental health diversion program. It’s personal. For the last two decades, she said a family member, who is no longer talking to her, has been struggling with schizophrenia. But Stinson hasn’t been able to get her help.

“It’s this gray area where it’s not bad enough where we can do a 5150, but it’s definitely affecting her quality of life, right? Just eating bread and not having relationships with anyone in the family and definitely, all of her family are around her,” Stinson said.

As information about the Los Angeles County CARE Court became available, a court process where families, roommates and first responders can petition for mental health intervention services on behalf of an individual who is at least 18 years old and diagnosed with schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders, Stinson said she plans on filing a petition on her family member's behalf.

“To understand that ‘Hey, what’s going on is a big deal' and maybe that’s the reason why my family member will participate in her mental health care or start taking medication again,” she said.

David Slayton, executive officer/clerk of court with the LA County Superior Court, said CARE plans and agreements are tailored to individuals that qualify and agree to participate in the process. Slayton said the court expected to see about 4,000 petitions within the first year, but as of July 17, only 203 petition have been filed, so far. At least 14 of those petitions progressed into service agreements with the LA County Department of Mental Health and four individuals were in court-ordered CARE plans that could include mental health services and housing.

“This is a voluntary program, so the individuals on the receiving end of the services have to agree to that to receive those services,” Slayton said. “Part of the process is really trying to engage with them, build trust, like, making sure they understand exactly what is being offered to them.”

With a petition in front of her, Stinson now wonders how her family member will get to court.

“This will, for us, change her life for the better. Right? Because hopefully, we get our family member back. But also this will be an undertaking, for sure,” she said.

A careful approach for families hoping to reconnect.