Unit 5.1: Mental Health and Crime

Question 1

Mental Health

Answer 1

A state of well-being in which the individual realized their own abilities and can cope with the normal stresses of life. They con contribute to their community

Question 2

Mental Illness

Answer 2

Health conditions that are characterized by alterations in thinking, mood and behaviour associated with distress and impaired function.

Question 3

Mental health disorders

Answer 3

A syndrome characterized by clinically significant disturbance in an individuals cognition, emotional regulation or behaviour. Significant distress in social and occupational activities

Question 4

Why is it easier for mentally ill people to get into the criminal justice system?

Answer 4

1. Increased police interactions - many symptoms of mental illness = increases interpersonal conflicts
2. The public misinterprets the behaviour
3. More likely to be arrested - they can be irritable, incoherent or suicidal

Question 5

What is it like for a mentally ill person to navigate the system?

Answer 5

Mental illnesses can impair a person’s ability to communication with crime professionals, police, lawyers
They are more likely to be victimized by the system

Question 6

What assumption is our criminal code based on?

Answer 6

The assumption that people are rational and that their perceptions of the world are accurate

Question 7

Why is it harder for a mentally ill person to get out of the criminal justice system?

Answer 7

1. Less likley to recieve a release from custody (parole)
2. Lack of resources = more likely to have lasting symptoms
3. After release they are more likely to return to custody

Question 8

What is an insanity plea?

Answer 8

Also known as “not criminally responsible”
- A person suffering from a mental disorder was incapable of appreciating the nature of their actions and couldn’t have know it was wrong
- They were “insane” at the time of committing the crime

Question 9

Automatism

Answer 9

The legal defense that a person is not criminally responsible because they were not conscious while committing the crime. Ex: Sleepwalking

Question 10

What do you need to be found guilty of a crime?

Answer 10

1. Actus reus - guilty act
2. Mens rea - guilty mind

Question 11

An absolute discharge

Answer 11

Guilty of the crime but no restrictions/consequences

Question 12

A conditional discharge

Answer 12

Guilty and discharged but need to be on mediation or supervised

Question 13

A custody order

Answer 13

Guilty and sent to a secure mental health facility (could be indefinite)