28th International Congress on Law and Mental Health

Plenary Day September 30, 2003: Social Justice Within Diversity The plenary theme for the 28th Congress will address issues of equity and access to mental health and the law within a multicultural society such as Australia, and in the context of globalisation, development and disparity within the Pacific region. Some of these themes will carry over to the parallel sessions of the Congress. Parallel Sessions October 1-3, 2003: Between 250-300 experts in approximately 60 sessions will present on new developments and research on a broad range of issues in Law and Mental Health. Colleagues are invited to peruse prior programs of the IALMH Congresses for examples of topics addressed on a regular basis.

Plenary Day
September 30, 2003

Social Justice Within Diversity

The plenary theme for the 28th Congress will address issues of equity and access to mental health and the law within a multicultural society such as Australia, and in the context of globalisation, development and disparity within the Pacific region. Some of these themes will carry over to the parallel sessions of the Congress.

The Plenary Day will focus on questions such as:

Equity of access for citizens experiencing poverty, labour force exclusion, locational disadvantage, minority status, or 'demographic neglect' of groups such as young drug users, the homeless, or the aged

Implications of multiculturalism for design and delivery of mental health, courts and forensic services

Public health or 'clinical' models of mental health policies and programs

Mental health and legal services for indigenous peoples

meeting challenges of remoteness and limited resources

Parallel Sessions
October 1-3, 2003

Between 250-300 experts in approximately 60 sessions will present on new developments and research on a broad range of issues in Law and Mental Health. Colleagues are invited to peruse prior programs of the IALMH Congresses for examples of topics addressed on a regular basis.

A number of core themes will be emphasised at this year's meeting (see our preliminary plan of themes across the three days):

I. Crime and Care: Mental Illness at the Intersection of Health and Justice

Diversion - Mental Illness and the Criminal Justice System: Alternatives to Incarceration?

Mental Health Assessment in the Courts

Community Mental Health

Special Issues in Treating Mental Illness: Dual Diagnosis and Addiction

First Contact: Law Enforcement and the Mentally Ill

II. Mental Illness and the Judicial System

Work, Stress and Nervous Shock

Experts in the Courtroom

Culpability and Mitigation of Mental Illness - Human Responsibility

III. Mental Health and Public Policy

Public Perceptions of Mental Illness

Mental Health Promotion: A Holistic Approach to Social Health and Justice

Stigma and Mental Illness: Consumers' Rights and Consumer Advocacy

Therapeutic Jurisprudence

Globalisation and Mental Health

Mental Health Reform: Legislation and Delivery of Services within a Federal System

IV. Multicultural Dimensions of Health and Justice

Trauma, Migration, and International Human Rights

Aboriginal Justice and Mental Health of Indigenous Peoples

V. Children, Families, and Ageing Citizens: Intergenerational Rights and Responsibilities

The Future of Elder Care

Families and the Courts

Guardianship

Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse

VI. Mental Health: Ethics, Law and Social Policy

Feminist Perspectives on Law and Mental Health

Race, Colour and Ethnicity

Genetics and Mental Health

Privacy, Ethics and the Patient-Therapist Relationship - Accountability, Ethics and the Duty to Warn

Psychological Jurisprudence

Euthanasia

VII. Forensic Psychiatry and Correctional Services

Violence and Criminality

Adolescent Delinquency and Young Offenders

Risk Assessment, Dangerousness and Recidivism

Mental Health in Correctional Facilities - Special Populations in Detention

Treatment and Assessment of Sex Offenders

For further information