California Passes Law Expanding Parity in Medical Coverage for Mental Health Conditions |
|
The key source for information about mental illness for the general public is typically the media. Research shows that media coverage can influence public perceptions. When it comes to serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, the media tends to focus only on the negative aspects. There tends to be a focus on acts of violence, unpredictability, and danger to others. This has a huge effect on how the public views individuals with mental illness.
Not the True Picture
Because the media focuses on so many acts of violence, there is a dangerous misperception that individuals with mental illness are always violent. In reality, instances of violence among people with mental illness are rare. In fact, individuals with mental illness are more likely to be the victims of violence than the perpetrators. In addition, when there is violence, there are usually other contributing factors such as substance abuse.
This false picture of mental illness has led to the stigmatization that is dangerous to society. When mental illness is portrayed as negative and dangerous, then people who have a mental illness will hide. These individuals may not seek the help they need because they are afraid of how they will be perceived by others. In addition, those who do come forward about their mental illness may face difficulties such as social isolation and the denial of job opportunities.
Challenging Stereotypes
Given its influence on public perception, the media could go the other way and attempt to challenge stereotypes about mental illness. Safe and responsible coverage of news items involving people with mental illness can help reduce the stigmatization. When reporting on acts of violence, the media should point out that mental illness is rarely the cause of violence and that the vast majority of violent crimes are committed by individuals without mental illness. Relevant contextual factors could also be included in reporting. Pointing out that factors other than an individual's mental illness may have contributed to an act of violence may help with perceptions. The use of appropriate and respectful language when discussing mental illness can also be helpful.
If you or a loved one has a mental disability and has been arrested or convicted of a crime, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side. Elizabeth Kelley specializes in representing individuals with mental disabilities. To schedule a consultation, call (509) 991-7058.
|
|
For More Information on Mental Disabilities and the Criminal Justice System
Representing People with Mental Disabilities: A Practical Guide for Criminal Defense Lawyers was edited by Elizabeth Kelley.
It contains chapters devoted to a variety of issues confronted by people with mental disabilities in the criminal justice system, such as Competency, Sanity, Malingering, Neuroscience, Jail and Prison Conditions, Working with Experts, and Risk Assessment. Chapters are written by academics, mental health experts, and criminal defense lawyers. In the introduction, Elizabeth writes that "This is the resource I wish I had had many years ago."
|
|
|
|
|
|
Elizabeth Kelley
Criminal Defense Attorney
|
Elizabeth Kelley is a criminal defense lawyer with a nationwide practice specializing in representing people with mental disabilities. She is the co-chair of The Arc's National Center for Criminal Justice and Disability, serves on the American Bar Association’s Commission on Disability Rights, Criminal Justice Section Council, and Editorial Board of the Criminal Justice Magazine. Learn more.
|
|
The ABA Criminal Justice Standards on Mental Health: The Greatest Practice Resource You’ve Never Heard Of |
Elizabeth wrote this article with Dr. Eric Y. Drogin of Harvard University School of Medicine. If you are not a member of the ABA and would like to read this article, please email Elizabeth at: ZealousAdvocacy@aol.com
|
A rash claim? Not really, because we know that if you can spare five minutes to glance over the Standards, you’ll become a believer on the spot. An immodest claim? Not at all, because we weren’t members of the blue-ribbon panel that took the classic 1984 version and transformed it into the up to date 2016 version. A self-promoting claim? Not likely, because if the ABA continues to revise the Standards at 32-year intervals, we’ll probably both be retired—even in this economy—by the time the next panel is chosen. A grammatically challenged claim? Well … we apologize to legal writing instructors everywhere for ending the title of this article with a preposition. Nostra culpa.
|
|
Legal System Needs to Adapt for People With Intellectual Disabilities - Study |
A new report recommends changes in how law enforcement interacts with people with intellectual disabilities after finding that barriers to communication are a significant theme and that some people may be "vulnerable to suggestion and coercion".
The study, carried out by researchers at the University of Limerick, alongside colleagues from other Irish universities, received the views of 95 people working in the area, including those working in a voluntary or representative organisation for people with intellectual disabilities (PWID), people working in healthcare, and working in law enforcement, including gardaí, judges, and barristers.
|
|
Why Adding Neurodiversity to the Cybersecurity World Is a Win-win for Companies and Employees |
Cybersecurity moves fast and changes constantly, which requires strong problem-solving skills and outside-the-box thinking. The other challenge the industry faces is an ongoing shortage of people to fill open positions. One way to solve this problem is to modernize hiring requirements to include candidates who have the capabilities for the work without the traditional credentials.
|
|
Homeless, Mentally Ill and Behind Bars |
We're entering the second year of the coronavirus pandemic, and we've yet to fully reckon with the impact of COVID-19 on mental health. Research is still emerging about the devastating surge in mental illness for both the young and the old. It's undeniable we're facing a full-blown mental health crisis.
|
|
Mental Illness Collides With Criminal Justice |
There was a time when Ohioans experiencing mental health crises could get help that was less likely to intersect with the criminal justice system. In past decades, a state-run local hospital, for instance, was able to evaluate and offer both short and long-term mental health treatment, if necessary.
That designated local mental hospital no longer exists and today experts say the system is lacking. Now, with few other options, family members or bystanders often who have few options end up calling police for help. Worse, untreated behavior can lead to criminal acts.
|
|
What Went Wrong: Analysis Of Police Handcuffing, Pepper-Spraying 9-Year-Old Girl |
On a frigid late January afternoon, Rochester, N.Y., police responded to a reported domestic disturbance on the city's north side. Thirty minutes later, a 9-year-old girl was handcuffed, forced into a squad car and pepper-sprayed in her eyes.
She is Black. The officers are white. NPR is not identifying her because she is a minor.
Police body camera footage of the encounter sparked outrage and fresh scrutiny of how police treat people in distress.
|
|
 |
Representing People with Mental Disabilities: A Practical Guide for Criminal Defense Lawyers
Representing People with Mental Disabilities: A Practical Guide for Criminal Defense Lawyers, was edited by Elizabeth Kelley. It contains chapters devoted to a variety of issues confronted by people with mental disabilities in the criminal-justice system, such as:
- Competency
- Sanity
- Malingering
- Neuroscience
- Jail and Prison Conditions
|
|
|
|
Representing People with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Practical Guide for Criminal Defense Lawyers
Elizabeth's book titled Representing People with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Practical Guide for Criminal Defense Lawyers was released by the American Bar Association. Topics include:
- Co-Occurring Disorders
- Testing
- Competency
- Risk of Violence
- Mitigation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
