The Crime of Attempted Suicide in Uganda: The Need for Reforms to the Law

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Charlene Lubaale
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Criminal Law ◽  
Attempted Suicide ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Law ◽  
Commit Suicide

Much has been written on the subject of suicide in Uganda, in particular the need to decriminalise it. However, very little is devoted to the issue of whether, in the first place, this offence is grounded in the principles of criminal law. In addition, hardly any literature is devoted to the exploration of defences capable of being relied on to ensure that when persons who attempt suicide are charged, due regard is given to the mental health issues surrounding their conduct. The purpose of this article is twofold. First, to demonstrate that the offence of attempted suicide under Ugandan law lacks foundation in the principles of criminal law. This conclusion is based on the fact that the offence of suicide is not proscribed under Uganda’s laws; therefore, the conduct of attempting to commit suicide cannot constitute an offence. Secondly, to argue that the defence of insanity in Uganda, if widened, could found a basis for persons who attempt suicide to be acquitted by reason of mental illness.

scholarly journals Attitudes surrounding the disclosure of mental illness

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S288-S289
Author(s):  
Brishti Sengupta ◽  
Pritha Dasgupta
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
General Population ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Population Group ◽  
Medical Professionals ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Attitude Shift

AimsTo survey the effect of COVID-19 on mental health of both medical professionals and the general population, as well as attitudes surrounding the disclosure of mental illness.MethodAn online survey comprised of two questionnaires, one for medical professionals and one for the general population, were conducted via social media. Both questionnaires asked respondents of the effect of COVID-19 on their mental health, and the former asked respondents about the effect of COVID-19 on their patient group's mental health. The questionnaires went on to ask respondents about their attitudes to mental health disclosure in various scenarios, to varying groups of people. The general population group was also asked how they would react if someone else disclosed their mental illness to them.ResultThe questionnaire for the medical professionals gained 62 respondents and the one for the general population had 122 respondents, with responses from multiple nations. Overall, COVID-19 has affected everyone's mental health to a degree, and all groups had reservations about disclosing their mental health issues to others. The medical professionals were especially reluctant to disclose mental illness to their patients, but were more comfortable when it came to disclosing mental illness to colleagues. The general population, however, was much more reluctant to disclose mental health issues to their colleagues. The general population were, on the whole, willing to listen to and help anyone who came to them with mental health concerns. Both groups surveyed showed reluctance toward disclosure to the wider community.ConclusionCOVID-19 appears to significantly affect not only physical health, but mental health as well. There is at least some degree of stigma surrounding the disclosure of mental health issues. While most would be happy to help anyone who came to them with their mental health problems, there seems to be an attitude shift when people must contend with mental health issues of their own.

“Maybe No One Is Really Crazy, but Everyone Is Just a Little Bit Mad”: Framing Experiences of Living with Madness in the TED Talk

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Victoria Morris ◽  
Hannah S. Scott
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Research Methods ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Level Of Functioning ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Media Platform ◽  
Ted Talks

This article explores the victimizing experiences of individuals with mental illness using grounded inductive qualitative research methods, by extracting themes from 15 first-hand accounts of living with mental illness delivered on the TED Talks media platform. Emergent themes included (1) victimizing effects of the illness including the effects of medication and the effects of stigma, (2) normalcy, (3) the importance of help-seeking in the process of overcoming obstacles presented by mental health issues, and (4) victimization by others. We conclude that the speakers in our sample, even though they reflect an extraordinary level of functioning, still view themselves as what Becker (1991 [1963]) describes as outsiders, acting as moral entrepreneurs, crusading to normalize madness through a variety of strategies.

On the Intersection of Faith Background and Mental Health Beliefs: What MSW Students Learned About Themselves

2021 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 308-322
Author(s):  
Jennifer Payne
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Health Beliefs ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Childhood Experience ◽  
Demonic Possession ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Msw Students

Students enter college with pre-formed beliefs about the causes of mental health issues, from spiritual explanations (e.g., demonic possession) to biological explanations (e.g., genetics). However, they rarely have thought through how their faith backgrounds influence their beliefs about mental health. MSW students in their clinical concentration year engaged in a class-based assignment in which they explored the question, "Where are you on the spectrum of belief regarding the cause of mental illness?" A qualitative content analysis was completed on 69 student papers collected over five years. Results showed how each student's religious childhood experience shaped his or her view about mental illness causes.

scholarly journals Women's Mental Health in the Time of Covid-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florence Thibaut ◽  
Patricia J. M. van Wijngaarden-Cremers
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Violence Against Women ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Frontline Workers ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Subject ◽  
At Home

Even if the fatality rate has been twice higher for men than for women, the Covid-19 pandemic has affected women more than men, both as frontline workers and at home. The aim of our article was to analyze the differences observed in mental health and violence between men and women in the COVID outbreak. For this purpose, we have used all papers available in PubMed between January and July 2020 as well as data from non-governmental associations. We have thus successively analyzed the situation of pregnancy during the pandemic; the specific psychological and psychiatric risks faced by women both as patients and as workers in the health sector, the increased risk of violence against women at home and at workplace and, finally the risk run by children within their families. In conclusion, research on the subject of mental health issues during the Covid-19 pandemic is still scarce, especially in women. We hope that this pandemic will help to recognize the major role of women at home and at the workplace.

scholarly journals Using the media during Mental Health Week

1997 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 451-453 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rob Kay ◽  
Barbara Martin ◽  
Doreen Kelly ◽  
Cameron Stark
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mass Media ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Public Information ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
The Media ◽  
Quota Sampling

The mass media is an important source of public information on mental health issues. A two-page insert in 11 local Ayrshire newspapers was purchased to coincide with the Mental Health Weeks in 1994 and 1995. Using a quota sampling technique, 379 adults were questioned on their views and recollection of the insert in 1994, and a further 365 in 1995. It had been seen by 27% of 1994 respondents, and by 22% in 1995. Of these, 80% in each sample had read at least part. Local details were best remembered, and information on the nature of mental illness was regarded as the most helpful part of the insert. The newspaper articles provided a way of contacting a substantial proportion of the adult population of the area.

Amicus cum Laude: Ethnodramatic Inquiry Regarding Sharing Mental Health in College

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (14) ◽  
pp. 2173-2191
Author(s):  
Robert D. Hall
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Health Related ◽  
One Act

In this manuscript, I utilize an ethnodramatic methodology in reanalyzing two data sets about college friends disclosing and receiving mental health-related information. After describing ethnodrama and how this methodology applies to mental health–related inquiry, I detail my process of creating an ethnodrama from two extant data sets. The result is an ethnodrama called Amicus cum Laude: Becoming a Friend with Honor for Mental Illness, a one-act play about how friends discuss mental health issues with one another. After providing the ethnodrama, I offer recommendations for taking the ethnodrama from page to stage while reflecting on and critiquing the final product.

Social Media for Mental Health Initiatives

2018 ◽  
pp. 210-224
Author(s):  
Gemma Richardson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Vulnerable Populations ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Health Initiatives ◽  
New Challenges

Social media has added a new dynamic for those living with mental illness. There are several benefits to using social media to obtain information and support for mental health issues, but there are also new challenges and drawbacks. This chapter explores social media for mental health initiatives, with a focus on two case studies: Facebook's suicide prevention tools and the Bell Let's Talk campaign. These case studies highlight the unique ways that social media can be harnessed to raise awareness and provide support and resources to vulnerable populations, while also providing insights into the challenges of utilizing these platforms.

scholarly journals Protecting the vulnerable victim in criminal injuries matters

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Guthrie
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Best Interests ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Substance Addiction ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Serious Injury ◽  
Made In

Each year large numbers of persons sustain serious injury as a consequence of criminal behaviours. All Australian jurisdictions provide systems of compensation to those harmed in this way. In many instances assessors of compensation have to consider not simply the appropriate and fair amount of compensation but how a person will be affected by the payment of compensation. Often those applicants apply through their guardians or a public trustee, although many applicants apply in person. This paper examines the use of legislative provisions, rules regulations and practices in the various Australian jurisdictions in relation to how vulnerable criminal injuries applicants may be protected once an award of compensation is made in their favour. Most jurisdictions provide for a mechanism by which compensation awarded may be held in trust in the event that the compensation assessor considers that the applicant may be unable to manage her or his financial affairs and where it would be in the best interests of the applicant. When considering what is in the best interests of the applicant the assessor will have regard to the manner in which the inability to manage financial matters has arisen either as a consequence of the offence the subject of the application, pre-exiting mental health issues, substance addiction and abuse or vulnerability to exploitation by family members or close associates. This paper explores what factors are taken into account by assessors in the absence of and pursuant to legislative directions. It considers how the approach may vary across jurisdictions and creative approaches to protection vulnerable criminally injured persons.

The mental health of culturally and linguistically diverse offenders – what do we know?

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 438-441
Author(s):  
Arran Rose ◽  
Stephane M Shepherd ◽  
James R P Ogloff
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Linguistically Diverse ◽  
Culturally And Linguistically Diverse ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Health Service Providers ◽  
Health Disorders ◽  
Prison Populations

Objective: A key challenge facing justice health service providers is addressing and treating the high rates of mental illness among offenders. It is well documented that rates of mental illness are substantially higher within prison populations compared to the general population. As such, the need to provide ongoing treatment to prisoners experiencing mental health issues is of fundamental importance. Prisoners experiencing mental health disorders are more likely to have poorer social outcomes on release, including a greater likelihood of recidivism and poorer health outcomes. The growing numbers of justice-involved individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds signal the need for justice systems to adapt to the changing demographic. Conclusions: In this commentary, we argue that greater efforts to explore the nature and prevalence of mental illness among CALD groups in custody, where such concerns are often intertwined with additional complex personal, environmental and historical criminogenic risk factors, are desperately needed to improve system responses and reduce recidivism.

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