Mental health and criminal justice | Crystal Dieleman | TEDxMoncton

Summary

This script addresses the misconceptions surrounding mental illness and violence, emphasizing that people with mental health issues are more likely to be victims than perpetrators. It discusses the reality of individuals with mental illness within the criminal justice system, highlighting that many interactions with law enforcement are non-criminal. The speaker calls for a more compassionate and inclusive approach, stressing the importance of community support for recovery and reducing re-engagement in criminal behaviors. The script concludes by urging individuals to consider their role in fostering inclusivity and providing opportunities for those with mental health challenges.

Takeaways

• 📢 The media often exaggerates the link between mental illness and violence, leading to a distorted public perception.
• 👥 We're talking about people, not just illnesses or labels; it's important to humanize those with mental health issues.
• 🇨🇦 In Canada, 20% of the population will experience mental illness at some point, making it a common part of society.
• 🚔 40% of police contacts with people with mental illnesses are for non-criminal behavior, showing that not all interactions are due to crimes.
• 🏥 Many with mental illness who interact with the criminal justice system are there for minor offenses, not violent crimes.
• 🏢 People with mental illness who are violent are not representative of the whole; they are more likely to be victims than perpetrators.
• 🏡 Recovery from mental illness is possible and involves having a safe and secure place to live, among other basic needs.
• 💼 Employment and social connections are crucial for recovery and reducing the risk of criminal justice involvement.
• 👫 'Not In My Backyard' (NIMBY) syndrome is a significant barrier to providing necessary support for people with mental illness.
• 🌐 Including people with mental illness in communities contributes to their recovery and the safety of the community as a whole.
• 💪 Everyone has a role to play in including those with mental illness in society, whether as landlords, employers, or community members.

Q & A

What is the main issue the speaker addresses regarding the portrayal of people with mental illnesses in the media?

The speaker addresses the issue of media often focusing on tragic and violent events involving people with mental illnesses, which results in an exaggerated public perception of the relationship between mental illness and violence.

What is the actual percentage of the population that experiences mental illness in Canada?

One in five people, or 20% of the population, will experience a mental illness during their lifetime in Canada.

What was found in the study about police contact with people with mental health problems?

The study found that 40% of police contact with people with mental illnesses was for non-criminal behavior, such as unusual or bizarre actions in public places or attempts at suicide.

What are some of the minor offenses for which people with mental illnesses are often arrested?

People with mental illnesses are often arrested for minor offenses such as shoplifting, theft, public disturbances, vandalism, and destruction of property.

Why are some people with mental illnesses not considered good predictors of violence?

The speaker explains that mental illness is not a good predictor of violence because people with mental illnesses are more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators.

What are the key factors that people with mental illnesses need to recover and reduce the risk of criminal justice involvement?

People with mental illnesses need a safe and secure place to live, structure in their lives, meaningful activities, gainful employment, relationships, social connections, opportunities to participate in their communities, and to be treated with dignity and respect.

What is the 'not in my backyard' (NIMBY) syndrome, and how does it relate to mental health?

The 'not in my backyard' syndrome refers to the resistance to having resources or facilities for people with mental illnesses in one's own neighborhood. It's a barrier to providing necessary support and inclusion, which is crucial for their recovery and reducing the risk of violence.

How can community members help include people with mental illnesses in their communities?

Community members can help by offering housing opportunities, employment, volunteering opportunities, and social connections to people with mental illnesses, ensuring they have the resources and support they need.

What is the speaker's stance on balancing public and personal safety with the inclusion of people with mental illnesses?

The speaker suggests that while maintaining public and personal safety is important, it should not come at the expense of excluding people with mental illnesses from communities, as inclusion is key to their recovery and reducing the risk of criminal behavior.

What is the role of community members in building healthy and safe communities for everyone?

Community members play a crucial role in building healthy and safe communities by ensuring that everyone, including those with mental illnesses, has access to resources, supports, services, and opportunities.

Outlines

00:00

📰 Media Portrayal of Mental Illness and Violence

The speaker addresses the media's tendency to focus on rare but tragic and violent events involving individuals with mental illnesses, leading to a distorted public perception of the link between mental health issues and violence. They aim to clarify misconceptions and discuss the reality of people with mental illness within the criminal justice system. The speaker emphasizes that we're talking about people, not labels, and highlights that 20% of the Canadian population will experience mental illness at some point in their lives. They discuss how not all interactions between the police and individuals with mental health problems are due to criminal behavior, and how many people with mental illnesses are more likely to be victims of violence rather than perpetrators.

05:00

🏠 Overcoming Barriers to Inclusion for Mental Health Recovery

The speaker discusses the barriers that people with mental illnesses face in accessing necessary resources and support, such as safe housing, employment, and social connections. They touch on the 'Not In My Backyard' (NIMBY) syndrome, which contributes to the exclusion of these individuals from communities. The speaker argues that including people with mental illnesses in communities is crucial for their recovery and for reducing the risk of criminal behavior. They encourage the audience to consider their own power to include others, whether as landlords, employers, or community volunteers, and to take responsibility for ensuring that everyone has access to the resources and opportunities they need for a healthy and safe community.

Keywords

💡Mental Illness

Mental illness refers to a wide range of mental health conditions that affect mood, thinking, and behavior. In the video, it is emphasized that people with mental illnesses are often misunderstood and stigmatized, leading to an exaggerated public perception of their involvement in violence. The script highlights that mental illness is not a good predictor of violence and that these individuals are more likely to be victims than perpetrators.

💡Criminal Justice System

The criminal justice system encompasses the institutions and processes involved in the administration of the law, including police, courts, and corrections. The video discusses how people with mental illnesses can become entangled with this system, often due to non-criminal behaviors or minor offenses, and the challenges they face in receiving appropriate care and support.

💡Stigma

Stigma is a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person. The script addresses the stigma surrounding mental illness, which contributes to the public's exaggerated fears and misconceptions. It is noted that this stigma can lead to exclusion and isolation, which in turn can increase the risk of violence.

💡Deinstitutionalization

Deinstitutionalization refers to the policy of moving people with mental illnesses or developmental disabilities from long-term hospital care to community-based housing. The video mentions this as a historical context for the 'not in my backyard' phenomenon, where there is resistance to providing community support and housing for these individuals.

💡Not in My Backyard (NIMBY) Syndrome

NIMBY Syndrome is a social phenomenon where people oppose housing or services for marginalized groups in their local areas. The video discusses how this mentality contributes to the exclusion of people with mental illnesses from communities, despite the recognition of their need for support and resources.

💡Recovery

Recovery in the context of mental illness refers to the process of regaining control over one's life and achieving a meaningful existence. The video emphasizes that recovery is possible for people with mental illnesses and that it requires a combination of safe housing, meaningful activities, employment, and social connections.

💡Vulnerability

Vulnerability here refers to the susceptibility of people with mental illnesses to harm or mistreatment. The script clarifies that contrary to popular belief, those with mental illnesses are more likely to be victims of violence rather than perpetrators, highlighting their vulnerability.

💡Community Inclusion

Community inclusion is the active involvement and acceptance of individuals with mental illnesses in community activities and services. The video argues that inclusion is crucial for the recovery of individuals and for reducing the risk of criminal behavior, countering the exclusionary tendencies of NIMBY Syndrome.

💡Safe and Secure Place to Live

A safe and secure place to live is essential for the well-being of individuals with mental illnesses. The video stresses that access to affordable and stable housing is a fundamental need that can significantly impact their recovery and reduce their involvement with the criminal justice system.

💡Meaningful Activities

Meaningful activities refer to tasks or engagements that provide a sense of purpose and accomplishment. The script mentions that people with mental illnesses need structure and meaningful activities in their lives to aid in their recovery and to reduce the risk of further entanglement with the criminal justice system.

💡Humane Treatment

Humane treatment involves treating individuals with dignity, respect, and empathy. The video concludes by emphasizing the importance of treating people with mental illnesses humanely, which is essential for their recovery and for fostering a sense of belonging within communities.

Highlights

The media often exaggerates the link between mental illness and violence, leading to a distorted public perception.

Despite rare occurrences, the public is led to believe there's a high risk of being harmed by someone with a mental illness.

Discussing the reality of people with mental illness in the criminal justice system is crucial for clarity.

Mental illness affects 20% of the population in Canada, indicating widespread familiarity with the issue.

40% of police contacts with individuals with mental health problems are for non-criminal behavior.

Many people with mental illnesses who interact with the police do not commit crimes.

Individuals with mental health issues are often arrested for minor offenses.

Mental illness is not a reliable predictor of violence; in fact, they are more likely to be victims.

Recovery from mental illness requires similar conditions to reduce criminal justice involvement.

Basic needs for recovery include safe housing, structure, meaningful activities, employment, and social connections.

The 'Not In My Backyard' (NIMBY) syndrome is a significant barrier to providing necessary support for people with mental illness.

Exclusion from communities is linked to violence, while inclusion promotes mental health recovery.

Individuals and communities have the power to include people with mental illness through housing, employment, and social opportunities.

Public safety and personal precautions should not overshadow the responsibility to ensure everyone's well-being.

Building healthy and safe communities requires collective effort and the provision of resources and opportunities for all.

Transcripts

the news media often focuses on tragic

and violent events involving people with

mental illnesses and despite the fact

that these events are relatively rare it

has resulted in us the general public

having an exaggerated perspective of the

relationship between mental illness and

violence it's also resulted in us having

an exaggerated perspective on the risk

of being personally harmed by a person

who has a mental illness and so tonight

I'd like to take a few minutes to briide

some clarity about the reality for

people with mental illness who've become

involved with the criminal justice

system so let's start for a minute by

talking about what we're really talking

about here and first and foremost we're

talking about

people we're not talking about illnesses

and disabilities we're not talking about

crimes and criminals we're not talking

about patients or clients or con or

inmates or offenders or consumers or

survivors or any other label that you

can think of we're talking about

people and some people get

sick in Canada one in five people will

experience a mental illness during their

lifetime that's 20% of the population

and that means that most if not all of

us know someone a family member a friend

a coworker who experiences mental health

problems

some of these people right who have a

mental illness become involved with the

criminal justice

system but not all of them have

committed a

crime there's a study that was done uh

in a Canadian city a number of years ago

and they were looking at police contact

with people with mental health problems

and one of the things that they found is

that

40% of police contact with people with

mental illnesses was for non-criminal

Behavior

so that would include say an individual

who's walking through a shopping

district perhaps acting unusually or

bizarrely the people around them are

concerned or uncomfortable and so they

contact the police the police may come

have a conversation with the person

maybe they offer to call someone for the

person maybe they offer to drive the

person home this may also include

someone who is attempting suicide and so

someone calls 911 and the police respond

and they work to deescalate

the situation and then take the person

to hospital so that they can receive

care many people with mental illnesses

of course are arrested for criminal

behaviors some of them or the majority

of them are for relatively minor

offenses so things like shoplifting

theft public

disturbances um vandalism destruction of

property those kinds of

things some of those those people will

go to forens will be found not

criminally responsible and they'll go to

a forensic psychiatric facility to

receive care many of them will be found

criminally responsible and they will

face sentencing through the

courts however there are people who have

mental illness who do engage in violent

behaviors however mental illness is not

a good predictor of violence and in fact

people who have mental illnesses are

quite vulnerable and are much more like

to be victims of violence than they are

to be violent

themselves so if this is kind of a

snapshot of the experience of people

with mental health problems who get

involved with the criminal justice

system and Recovery is

possible what do people

need interestingly what people need to

recover from their mental health their

mental illness is remarkably similar to

what they need in order to reduce the

risk of being involved with the criminal

justice system any further right so

here's the list right they need a safe

and secure place to live a place that

they can afford they need structure in

their lives and meaningful activities

that they can engage in every day they

need gainful employment and a source of

income they need relationships

relationships with family friends

co-workers neighbors they need social

connection they need opportunities to

participate in and contribute to their

communities they need

the opportunity to determine for

themselves who they are and what they're

going to do with their lives and they

need to be treated humanely with dignity

and

respect now looking at this list I think

most of us can agree that these things

are not extreme or unreasonable right in

fact these are things that we all need

or want for our own

lives so what's the problem

well that's a complex question there are

complex problems we know that there are

legislation and policy barriers we know

that there is a fragmented and poorly

resourced system of services right we

all hear about Staffing shortages we

hear about weight lists we hear about

communication problems and problems with

the flow of

information but situated in that is

arguably one of the most profound

barriers to people getting the things

that they

need and that's

us the nimi phenomenon or the not in my

backyard syndrome was first identified

in the 1960s and 1970s as the

deinstitutionalization movement was

gaining momentum and it arose in

response to um efforts to secure

community supported housing for people

with mental illnesses and people with

developmental disabilities who are being

moved out of long-term Hospital

hospitals so this is an us and them

mentality okay so we understand and we

may even have compassion for the fact

that people need a place to live but we

don't want them to live on our street

and we don't want them to live in our

neighborhood right we understand that

people need jobs and that they need a

source of income but we don't want them

working in our

workplace and we believe that people

should be contributing to their

communities but we don't want them

volunteering side by side with us

and in this way we deny people the

things that they need the most right

they need a safe place to live they need

a job they need connections to their

community and healthy

relationships we exclude people from our

communities and while mental illness is

not a predictor of violence excluding

people from communities is linked to

violence so

conversely including people in our

communities contributes to mental health

recovery and contributes to reducing the

risk of people um re-engaging in

criminal

behaviors so what power do you

have to include people in your community

are you a landlord or a property manager

is there a vacancy in your building you

have the power to give someone a place

to live are you an employer are you

hiring in your workplace right now you

have the power to give someone a

job are you a volunteer in your

community you have the opportunity to

provide a connection for someone who may

not have any other social

connections I'm not suggesting that we

set aside our concerns about public

safety and I'm not suggesting that we

set aside the precautions that we take

for personal safety

what I'm saying is that we all have a

responsibility to the people around us

to ensure that everyone has the things

that they need resources supports

services and opportunities so that

together we can be more effective in

building healthy and safe communities

for everyone thank you

[Applause]