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The new La Crosse County Veterans Court Initiative kicked off Monday with a courthouse ceremony recognizing mentors who will assist veterans in the legal system.

“This is a pioneer effort,” Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson said in an online video. “Not only for Wisconsin but across the country.”

Under the program, any veteran involved in an incident with local law enforcement will be assigned a mentor who also is a veteran, initiative chairman and county Circuit Judge Todd Bjerke said.

The mentor can discuss options on applying for veterans benefits and then get the person to meet with the county Veterans Service officer and do follow-up screenings for potential mental health issues.

Several mentors were sworn in Monday and will work to recruit and train additional mentors.

A large number of veterans suffer from mental health problems associated with military service, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain or blast injury and suicidal thoughts, Bjerke said.

If diagnosed with a mental health issue, the person most likely would qualify for Veterans Administration benefits, and a treatment plan can be developed.

“The courts would view the diagnosis and treatment for the veteran as a significant factor when resolving cases,” Bjerke said.

The initiative’s founders — mostly veterans, both professionals and nonprofessionals — decided to go with a trained mentor system after studying other veterans courts.

For more information on how to apply to be a mentor, call (608) 785-9719.