Forensic Mental Health Legislation and Policies
The current position on forensic mental health issues when it comes to legislation and policies is a strong one, but there are some difficulties that do not translate well into the probation and parole policies that are currently offered. In other words, there are issues that are not being addressed, and that are allowing individuals with mental health problems who on are probation and parole to slip through the cracks and struggle with their issues on their own (Wang, et al., 2005). Not only are they not getting the help they need in order to live productive lives, they are also more likely to reoffend, violate their probation or parole, become homeless, drink to excess, do drugs, and get involved in other unsavory behavior (Patel & Prince, 2002). The high proportion of indigenous offenders is one of the biggest issues that indicates mental health legislation is not working in the way that it really should to protect the population who are on probation and parole (Australian, 2012). While it is important to get help to the people in the big cities and smaller towns, there are a number of more rural, indigenous people who are falling through the cracks (Australian, 2012).
Another concern for those who have mental health issues in Australia is that these issues are often tied to many other problems, like domestic violence and criminal behavior, but only arrests are made for the behaviors, placing the people on probation and parole (Australian, 2012). It is not that people should not be arrested for this kind of behavior, but that -- if mental health problems are the cause -- they should also be treated for the mental health issues they are facing (Demyttenaere, et al., 2004). That can help them avoid improper behavior in the future, and make them more productive members of society. It is not the mental health issues of indigenous people and others that is the problem. Instead, it is the way in which these problems are glossed over by legislation and law enforcement, so that the people who really need assistance cannot get anyone to help them in the right way (Australian, 2012). Just putting them on probation or parole is not the answer.
Current policies and procedures that are in place for those who may be suicidal or who may harm themselves while they are on probation and parole are important, but they do not go far enough. It makes sense to protect people from themselves if there is an indication that they may become distraught or confused and hurt themselves (Richards, Campania, & Muse-Burke, 2010). Many people who take their own lives or who harm themselves do so because they do not realize that they are putting themselves at that level of risk (Wang, et al., 2005). This can also happen because they think self-harm is a good idea, or they cannot see any way out of their current situation other than suicide. If they were mentally healthy, though, they may realize that the way they are looking at things is not realistic, and that they could be better served by getting healthy so they could take care of themselves (Storrie, Ahern, & Tuckett, 2010). If they are not offered the resources they need through their probation or parole officer, though, and the policies and legislation created do not take care of them properly, they may not be able to help themselves and find ways to improve. That is not their fault, but a failing of the system itself.
That is not to say that there is not plenty of mental health care available in Australia, but only that the availability of care does not necessarily equal good care, or care that is designed for the people who need it most. When a person on probation or parole needs proper mental health care, he or she may or may not realize that it is even needed. If it is not adequately realized, then there need to be legislative requirements that can force the person needing the care to get that care so he or she is not a danger to himself or herself, or a danger to other people (Keyes, 2002). By taking that into consideration, it is possible to make changes to the Australian mental health care system that will address policies and legislation that can and should be adjusted for those on probation and parole. While not the perfect solution, there are no perfect options when it comes to mental health concerns (Munce, et...
Profiling or Guessing- the role of criminal profiling is certainly one in the popular press and media. Television shows such as CSI or Bones bring the task of forensics into the mainstream living room, but these shows tend to focus more on the sexier forms of criminology as opposed to the gray area of forensic psychology. A professional forensic psychologist, though, understands that a typical profile is not meant to
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This contribution towards the evolution of this field gives more credence and attention to these practices, making this award important for everyone involved. The education system is the starting point for many important subjects such as forensic psychology. The importance of making this particular discipline accepted and official allows the followers and subsidiaries of these streams of information a guide path to elaborate on their own studies on the matter.
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" (Franklin, 2006, p.1) Assessed are personality factors and an attempt is made to determine which parents is closer to the children on a psychological level. The children are evaluated as well in an examination that involves the psychological assessing he emotional connection of the child to each of the child's parents. As well the psychologist examines whether the children appear to have any psychological problems of a significant nature. School
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