Mental Disorder and Offending

Overview

This unit provides students with an understanding of the complex relationship between different types of mental disorder and offending behaviour. The unit will enhance students’ decision-making about many aspects of forensic work, including risk assessment, treatment, and management of mentally disordered offenders.

Unit learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

1. Critically discuss the possible pathways by which mental disorder is linked to offending
2. Demonstrate advanced knowledge of how specific types of disorders and their associated symptoms influence different types of offending
3. Critique the application of relevant theories and principles linking mental disorders and offending to marginalised groups, including First Nations people.
4. Evaluate the implications for culturally safe assessment and treatment of mental disorders for individuals in forensic populations.
5. Apply a taught conceptual framework to link research on mental disorder and offending with the development of appropriate treatment and management plans for mentally disordered offenders

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Assessment

Content

• What is mental disorder
• Common themes linking mental disorder and offending behaviour 
• Schizophrenia spectrum (and other psychotic disorders) 
• Mood disorders 
• Cognitive impairment 
• Treatment and management of mentally disordered offenders