Forensic Mental Health

Synopsis

PSY523 Forensic Mental Health will provide the student with the knowledge and understanding of the range of mental health issues in the offender population. These include major mental, developmental, and personality disorders. The use of psychological tests in forensic assessment will be covered. Students will learn case conceptualising skills, integrating different sources of information to provide a clinical formulation that will guide intervention. The student will also learn ways of working with the offenders with severe mental disorders.

Level: 5
Credit Units: 5
Presentation Pattern: Every January

Topics

Mental disorders and offending: diagnostic, conceptual and legal considerations
Relationship between mental disorder and offending
Mental disorders and offending in Singapore
Forensic mental health assessment 1
Forensic mental health assessment 2
Forensic mental health assessment 3
Anxiety, trauma, mood and related disorders
Schizophrenia spectrum and psychotic disorders
Personality disorders 1
Personality disorders 2
Working with complex cases and challenging clients
Case conceptualisation and formulation

Learning Outcome

Appraise the different factors that contribute to the development of psychopathology and offending behaviour.
Evaluate the different mental disorders and their effects on offending behaviour.
Judge the use of assessments in case conceptualisation and treatment planning.
Demonstrate basic skills in the assessment of major mental, developmental and personality disorders and in providing brief interventions.
Formulate a clinical profile of an offender that forms the basis for intervention.
Critique the fundamental skills needed in working with mentally disordered offenders.

Part-time Programmes

Singapore University of Social Sciences

Forensic Mental Health