Mental Health: Policies, Laws and Attitudes

This book is based on, an in-depth filmed conversation between Howard Burton and Elyn Saks, Orrin B. Evans Distinguished Professor of Law, and Professor of Law, Psychology and Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences at USC. During this wide-ranging conversation, Elyn Saks candidly shares her personal experiences with schizophrenia and discusses the intersection of law, mental health and ethics: the legal and ethical implications surrounding mental health. Further topics include psychotropic medication and the law, criminalization and mental illness, mental health disorders in college and university, and an exploration of which countries are more progressive with respect to important mental health policies, laws and procedures.

This carefully-edited book includes an introduction, To Shorten the Odds, and questions for discussion at the end of each chapter:
I. A Candid Admission- Writing The Center Cannot Hold
II. Deepening Understanding- Beyond stereotypes and misconceptions
III. Laws and Policies- Comparing the US with the UK
IV. Empathy- The missing link
V. Concrete Steps- What can be done?
VI. Summing Up- Elyn marches on