Social Issue 8: Criminalization of Mental Illness
There are unbelievable statistics about the number of people in jail or prison who need mental health treatment and/or are involved in criminal justice system because of the expression of their mental illness. Even more shocking and disheartening are the number of people suffering mental health crisis who are killed rather than helped.
This module focused on assessing mental illness (both symptoms and disorders). After viewing the TedTalk, consider these reflections:
1. How can we use what we know about mental health assessment to aid in the fight for humane and dignified treatment of individuals suffering from mental illness or in a mental health crisis?
2. Who should be armed with knowledge about how to assess if there is a mental health emergency?
3. Why are we even talking about this? Why is it important? Is it important?