Forensic Mental Health: A Case Study of Joe's Offending Behaviour

This case study examines the situation of an individual named Joe, focusing on the intersection of his mental health issues and his offending behavior. It highlights the importance of collaborative responsibility between the police and forensic mental health services to ensure Joe receives appropriate care and monitoring within the community, particularly emphasizing his attendance at mental health appointments. The role of Court Liaison services is discussed as a means of providing early intervention and potentially diverting Joe from the criminal justice system to mental health care. A risk assessment is conducted, identifying Joe's mother and estranged girlfriend as potentially vulnerable. The study concludes by reflecting on the personal challenges and anxieties involved in managing patients like Joe, underscoring the necessity of adhering to proper protocols and utilizing evidence-based nursing interventions to ensure both patient care and personal safety. Desklib offers resources for students to further explore such case studies.

Joe’s case study
In Module 2, I learnt about the relationship between people with mental health issues and their
offending behaviour, perception of their attitude by the society and health care community.
Particularly, in Joe's case study, I believe it is the collaborative responsibility of police and Forensic
mental health services to ensure that he receives care and gets monitored in the community
(Marshall & Adams, 2018). They must assure that he attends to his appointment with the mental
health nurse. I believe that since Joe is out on bail and not refuted from his charges, justice must be
involved in Joe's duty of care. Court Liaison is a type of forensic mental health service which can
offer early mental health intervention to Joe and may be in Joe's case, it can provide diversion from
the criminal justice system to mental health care (Fiona Davidson, 2015). I believe Joe's mother and
his estranged girlfriend are at risk of harm from Joe as if he contacts them, the nature of their
reaction may put them at risk. I think it is not appropriate but important to contact them even
without Joe's permission. The executive from Court Liaison may talk to the, and explain the whole
situation including his absence on appointment with Brenda. I can speak with the police officials and
John to know correctly all the facts about John including his behavior when he comes for reporting
at the police station. Joe is reporting and is expected to appear before court at next hearing. Court
Liaison must be involved to ensure he receives required mental health care. In my experience,
meeting with patients like Joe is risky and makes me anxious but I believe if proper protocol is
followed and evidence-based nursing interventions are used, i can deliver care to patient's like Joe
and at the same time ensure my own safety.
References
Fiona Davidson. (2015). Mental Health Liaison and Diversion . The Australian Centre for Research
Excellence in Offender Health .
Marshall, & Adams. (2018). Building from the ground up: exploring forensic mental health staff’s
relationships with patients. The Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology, 29(5), 744-761.