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1.
Event

Mental Health and the Law
Format Workshop
Presenters Professor Stephen Woods, The Honourable Greg James AM Q.C and Senior Sergeant Michael G Mitchell
Description The Honourable Justice Peter Hidden AM (2004) when commenting on the challenge of safeguarding the safety and rights of the community in general with those of a citizen facing criminal charges commented:

"Never is it more challenging than when the criminal justice system is called upon to deal with people who are mentally ill".

Although not specifically referred to by the Honourable Justice, the same challenges exist in cases where the individual suffers from some other form of mental disorder or condition and is being dealt with through the state Mental Health Tribunal.

The profession of psychology is playing an increasingly greater role in our justice system and state Mental Health Review Tribunals. This role is not confined to the area of forensic psychology, it involves all areas of speciality and generalist psychology. Indeed, any psychologist who is involved in the assessment and or treatment of individuals will inevitably find that they are called upon to be the interface between a client and the Judicial or Mental Health system. The workshop is intended to provide participants with necessary skills and knowledge to meet the (inevitable) challenges.
Of the many challenges that a psychologist will face if called upon to provide a report, give evidence, OR treat a person who the Court or Tribunal has determined is suffering from a "mental illness or condition" of some type is what can reasonably be described as the differences in language and terminology employed in the two (2) areas; a good example being the legal term "Disease of the Mind". The DSM-IV-T.R. at page xxxiii warns of "the imperfect fit between the questions of ultimate concern for the law and the information contained in a clinical diagnosis".

Regardless of whether or not a psychologist wishes to involve themself (or be involved) in the Court and/or Tribunal processes, the fact is that they will at some stage have professional contact with a person who for whatever reason is progressing through the legal or mandatory mental health systems.
The difficulties experienced by many psychologists who are dealing with cases involving Mental Health Law are also frequently experienced by the Court and by individual legal practitioners. This mutual challenge of the two (2) professions recently prompted the NSW Bar Association to separately invite Prof. Woods and the Hon. Greg James A.M. Q.C. to give presentations on the topics. This workshop bring not only these two experts but also a representative of the state police services in order to examine areas that will inevitably involve most practicing psychologists.

The goals of the workshop will be to :-
 Enable participants to gain a broad understanding of Mental Health Law (criminal and civil),
 Gain an understanding of relevant terminology and definitions e.g. Disease of the Mind and Mental Condition,
 Gain an understanding of what the Court or Tribunal is seeking of the psychologist in order to deliver a verdict that adequately protects the individual and the rights of the community in general,
 Gain insight into what should be included in reports.
 Gain a knowledge of recent initiatives of police services in how persons suffering mental illness can be best managed.
CPD Hours
Tell me more		 7 hours
[APS Endorsed CPD] [CPD Codes glossary]
Location QLD Metro, Australia
Venue The Sebel Suites Brisbane
Cnr Albert & Charlotte Streets, Brisbane, QLD, 4000

Please contact the event organiser to confirm if this venue is wheelchair accessible
Start/End Date 20 Oct 2012
Time 9am - 5pm with registration from 8.30am
Cost APS Member $295, APS Student Member $210, Non APS Member $445
Organiser APS National Office
Contact Name APS Events Team
Telephone 03 8662 3300
Email events@psychology.org.au
Fax 03 9663 6177
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