Mental Health and Forensics

By Lorna, Faye, Emma, Tiff & Sasha

Over 60% of young people in the criminal justice system have a communication disability (Bryan, Freer and Furlong, 2007). There is very strong evidence that speech language and communication difficulties tend to be labelled as behaviour problems. Difficulties with speech and language, education and literacy are risk factors for offending (Tomblin, 2000). Improving literacy and social skills is an important factor in reducing re-offending (Snow and Powell, 2004) A third of children with speech and language difficulties later developed mental health problems, with resulting criminal involvement in some cases (Clegg, 1999)

BACKGROUND

The Mental Health Act makes provision for the compulsory detention and treatment in

hospital of those with mental health disorders.

MENTAL HEALTH ACT 1983

The act provides a framework to protect vulnerable people, carers and professionals. It

makes it clear who can make decisions in which situations and how they should go about this.

The act starts from the viewpoint that the person has capacity and that all practical steps

must be taken to help the person make a decision.

MENTAL CAPACITY ACT 2005

1. The National Service Framework for Mental Health (2004) http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/@dh/@en/documents/digitalasset/dh_4099122.pdf

2. RCSLT Criminal Justice Campaign (2009) Locked in and Locked Out: Communication is the Key http://www.rcslt.org/about/campaigns/Criminal_justice_campaign_briefing

3. The Bradley Report (2009) http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/pdf/Bradley%20Report11.pdf

4. Department of Health, Offender Mental Health Care Pathway http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/@dh/@en/documents/digitalasset/dh_4102232.pdf

5. RCSLT Model of Service Delivery http://www.rcslt.org/about/campaigns/RCSLT_model_of_service_delivery_offending_2008.pdf

KEY DOCUMENTS

Reports and reviews the progress that has been made since it was originally published in 1999. There are seven standards : 1. Mental Health Promotion 2. Primary Mental Health Care 3. Access to Services 4. Specialist Care 5. Hospital and Crisis Accommodation 6. Support for Carers 7. Preventing Suicides ‘Underpinning strategies' are presented for each of these. What has been achieved and areas for further actions are included in this report.

THE NATIONAL SERVICE FRAMEWORK FOR MENTAL HEALTH (2004)

The RCSLT wants: 1. The Government to take action to develop and commission a

comprehensive SLT service throughout the criminal justice pathway to meet the needs of young people with a communication disability.

2. The initial screening process to be amended to identify those with a communication disability to allow them to receive the specialist services that they need.

3. Professionals working with young offenders with a communication disability should receive communication skills training, which has been developed by SLTs.

4. The government to fund research into the impact of speech and language therapy on reducing offending.

LOCKED IN AND LOCKED OUT: COMMUNICATION IN THE KEY

Access to rehabilitation is a route out of offending, but individuals with communication difficulties cannot access these programmes.

Evidence that speech and language therapy services could have an impact on offending and re-offending.

LOCKED IN AND LOCKED OUT: COMMUNICATION IN THE KEY

(cont’d)

Examines the extent to which offenders with mental health problems or learning disabilities could be diverted from prison to other services

Examines barriers

Makes recommendations to government

THE BRADLEY REPORT 2009

There are a large number of people with mental health problems and learning disabilities in the prison population. Early identification and assessment facilitates the development of appropriate and specific management plans for this population. There is a government response to each recommendation made in Lord Bradley’s report and what action is to be taken. http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/docs/bradley-mental-health-cjs-gov-response-grid.pdf

THE BRADLEY REPORT 2009 Conclusions

This is intended to guide the practice of people who directly deliver services, and support decision making

for those who commission them.

Provides a broad framework for management of offender’s mental health needs.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH: Offender Mental Health Care Pathway

Proposed Model 1) Preventing offending through community provision within mainstream school, inclusion programmes and youth offending teams.

2) Providing services within the criminal justice system, including residential settings 3) Promoting integration back into the community and reducing the risk of re-offending.

RCSLT: Model of service delivery for those at

risk of offending and re-offending

MIND http://www.mind.org.uk

Helps people to take control of their mental health by providing high quality information and

advice, and campaigning to promote and protect good mental health for everyone.

CHARITIES

Rethink http://www.rethink.org

A charity that believes that a better life is possible for millions of people affected by

mental illness.

They support almost 60,000 people every year across England to get through crises, to live

independently and realise they are not alone.

CHARITIES

NACRO http://www.nacro.org.uk

A crime-reduction charity, helping people at risk of offending to find positive alternatives to

crime.

CHARITIES

MENCAP www.mencap.org.uk

The leading voice of learning disability. They

work in partnership with people with learning disabilities and services support them to live

their life as they choose; changing laws, challenging prejudice and providing support.

Current strategy 2011-2016: Shaping Our Future

CHARITIES

Defines mental health, gives national guidance and sources of further support and relates to

speech and language therapy.

Page 341 - 351

CQ3 MENTAL HEALTH GUIDELINES RCSLT (2006)

RCSLT also includes selective mutism and

dementia under mental health. More information about these can be found at:

The Alzheimer’s Society http://www.alzheimers.org.uk RCSLT Position Paper on Dementia (2005) http://www.rcslt.org.uk ASHA http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/Selective-Mutism.htm Selective Mutism Information and Research Association http://www.smira.co.uk

CQ3 MENTAL HEALTH GUIDELINES RCSLT (2006)

Key Documents for Mental Health http://www.ephru.nhs.uk/content.asp?page_id=191

DSM-IV (2000) p.125-127

National Autistic Society “You Need to Know” campaign http://www.autism.org.uk/get-involved/campaign-for-

change/our-campaigns/you-need-to-know/the-facts.aspx

RELATED DOCUMENTS Mental Health

HM Government (2005) Reducing Re-Offending Through Skills and

Employment http://www.education.gov.uk/consultations/downloadableDocs/Reducing%20Re-Offending.pdf

Progress Report on the Implementation of the Board’s National Specification for Learning and Skills in Juvenile Prison Service Establishments 2003–04 http://www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/guidance/youth-justice/education-and-employment/custodial-education/NationalSpecsProgressReport2004.pdf

RELATED DOCUMENTS Learning & Employment in

Youth Offending

What are forensic mental health services?

http://www.mentalhealthcare.org.uk/view_all_videos/gisli_gudjonsson

Speech therapy: When sorry seems to be the hardest word

www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/feb/07/speech-therapy-sorry-seems-to-be-hardest-word?newsfeed=true

MEDIA & VIDEOS

THE END Thanks for listening