mental health law research topics

Health Law Research Guide: Suggested Topics in Health Law

Suggested Topics in Health Law
Online Resources
Westlaw and Lexis
Legislative Histories
Major Health Laws & Regulations
U.S. Code, Regulations, and Court Rules
Pending Legislation
Legislative Reports
New York State Department of Health Guidance Memoranda/Documents
Journals/Newsletters/Blogs
International Declarations
Conventions
Resources on International Health Law
International Policy Briefs and Reports
Online Books and Reports
Open Access International Journals & Newsletters
Legislative Information and Reports
State Health Data
Uniform Laws
Books Online
Dictionaries and Glossaries
General Reference Sources
Indexes and Search Engines
Pace University Databases
PubMed and Medline
Research Guides
Bar Associations
Federal Agencies
International Agencies and Organizations
Medical Associations
National Agencies and Organizations
New York State Agencies and Organizations
Professional Associations
State Agencies
Print Resources
Current Awareness

Listed below are some suggested topics in Health Law; they are linked to the Pace University library catalog. Books may be borrowed using your Pace ID card. Please see a reference librarian for more information.

Hot Topics: Mental Health Issues: Law and Legislation

Law and Legislation
Social Aspects

Book Catalog at SAU Library

Library Central This link opens in a new window Our SAU book catalog: Also try the partner Libraries tab. SAU users can interlibrary loan those titles. See box with ILL directions.
Mental health laws United States
People with mental disabilities and crime United States
Mental disability law Search in these journals for pertinent articles. SAU users only. Sign in to Library Central for full access.

Books in the SAU Collection

Selected Web sites

Mental Health law: an overview "Mental health and the law interact in numerous ways. The term "competence" signifies a legal conclusion that an individual is capable of entering into a binding contract, transferring assets, or participating in a legal proceeding. The provision of mental health services is regulated and, to some extent, publicly supported. Legal standards surround the process by which those who are mentally ill can be forced, against their will, to receive treatment. Statutes for involuntary commitment whether denominated civil or criminal are subject to the due process clause of the 14th Amendment. This is because involuntary commitment severely infringes on a person's right to be free from governmental restraint and the right to not be confined unnecessarily. Courts have held that such statutes must bear some reasonable relation to the purpose for which the individual is committed. Finally and most conspicuously, the criminal justice system has, of necessity, to address issues of responsibility, appropriateness of trial and treatment in the light of mental health considerations. States dictate how and when the insanity defense may be invoked in state court while the federal government does so for the federal court system. In 1984, the Insanity Defense Reform Act (18 U.S.C. § 17) was passed. Generally, it placed the burden of proving insanity on the defendant and it cut on the use of mental illness as a defense. Today, insanity is rarely invoked and of those, only a quarter succeed." more... less... From Cornell University
Indicators Of Mental Health Problems Reported By Prisoners And Jail Inmates, 2011-2012 Jennifer Bronson, Ph.D., Bureau of Justice Statistics, Marcus Berzofsky, Dr. P.H., RTI International June 22, 2017 "Presents prevalence estimates of mental health indicators among state and federal prisoners and jail inmates by different time periods, demographics, criminal justice history, most serious offense, mental health treatment received while incarcerated, and rule violations. Indicators were defined as serious psychological distress (SPD) in the 30 days prior to the interview or having a history of a mental health problem. Data are from BJS's 2011-2012 National Inmate Survey. Comparisons to the general population are based on data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's National Survey on Drug Use and Health, conducted in 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012" more... less... from the U.S> Department of Justice
Mental Health: Justice Center: Council of State Governments "The Council of State Governments Justice Center provides practical, nonpartisan, research-driven strategies and tools to increase public safety and strengthen communities."
Emerging Issues in Behavioral Health and the Criminal Justice System "Learn about specific issues that further complicate the lives of people with behavioral health conditions in U.S. criminal and juvenile justice systems." more... less... "The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities."

Legal Journals database

Nexis Uni This link opens in a new window This interdisciplinary database includes over 17,000 full-text news sources. Also includes a wealth of company/financial information and a variety of legal cases. Can be tricky to search, but useful under the right circumstances.

A note to users concerning database searching

If you are not an St. Ambrose University use r , your local public library may have access to various databases that are subscription based. Call and ask your public library for details.

<< Previous: Home
Next: Social Aspects >>
Last Updated: Feb 12, 2024 2:04 PM
URL: https://libguides.sau.edu/mentalhealth

Health Law Research

Secondary sources, primary sources, practice materials, organizations, interdisciplinary materials, getting help.

This guide provides an overview of health law research strategies. It will highlight some of the key secondary and primary resources in these areas. It will also provide current awareness sources. To learn more about performing legal research generally, please visit:

Legal Research Strategy by AJ Blechner Last Updated Sep 21, 2023 7685 views this year

Health law has become a distinct field in its own right. However, researchers may also wish to explore: Bioethics, Health Care Policy & Reform, Medical Device Law & Industry, Medical Malpractice, Medicare/Medicaid, Pharmaceutical Law & Industry, and Public Health. For a brief summary of health law please visit:

Health Law: An Overview Cornell Legal Information Institute

Using Secondary Sources

Secondary sources are a great place to begin your research. To learn more about secondary sources and how to use them, visit the following guide:

Secondary Sources: ALRs, Encyclopedias, Law Reviews, Restatements, & Treatises by Catherine Biondo Last Updated Apr 12, 2024 4838 views this year

Encyclopedias & American Law Reports

Legal encyclopedias contain brief, broad summaries of legal topics. They provide introductions to legal topics and explain relevant terms of art. State encyclopedias can also be found on Westlaw and Lexis.

American Jurisprudence 2d - Health - Westlaw
American Jurisprudence 2d - Health - Lexis
Corpus Juris Secundum - Health and Environment - Westlaw
Lawyers' Medical Cyclopedia of Personal Injuries and Allied Specialties

The American Law Reports contains in-depth articles on narrow topics of the law. Use the following Indices to access the ALR. Note: Lexis also has some ALR materials but Westlaw's are more complete.

Health Index Topic - ALR - Westlaw
Medical Care Index Topic - ALR - Westlaw

Health Law Treatises

There are many health law treatises within our collection. Users can search in Hollis for the most up-to-date legal treatises.

Hollis, the Harvard Library Catalog

Explore books by topic: Select Option Below Show All General Administration Bioethics & Biotechnology Mental Health Pandemic Response Policy Public Health

Books - General

Books - Administration

Books - Bioethics & Biotechnology

Books - Mental Health

Books - Pandemic Response

Books - Policy

Books - Public Health

Legal and Medical Journals

In addition to Hollis, mentioned above, many databases can be used for secondary source research:

HeinOnline Health and Medicine
Lexis Healthcare Law Journals
Westlaw Health Law Journals

In addition to traditional law reviews and journals many advocacy organizations also publish:

American Health Law Association Seminar Papers For papers prior to 2009 visit the American Health Law Association Seminar Papers - Archive
American Journal of Law & Medicine by the American Society of Law and Medicine
Food and Drug Law Journal by the Food and Drug Law Institute
Internet Journal of Law, Healthcare and Ethics by Internet Scientific Publications
Issues in Law & Medicine by the National Legal Center for the Medically Dependent & Disabled
Journal of Law, Medicine, and Ethics by the American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics
Journal of Legal Medicine by the American College of Legal Medicine

Using Primary Sources

Primary authority is "authority that issues directly from a law-making body." Authority , Black's Law Dictionary (11th ed. 2019). To learn more about primary sources and how to use them visit:

Primary Sources - Legal Research Strategy Guide
Health Law Statutes - Westlaw
Healthcare Law Statutes - Lexis
State Health Statutes - LII Table of state codes on health law, for general use only, not citation.

Statutes & Legislation

50 State Surveys are tools used to compare the law across multiple states. To learn more about using and accessing 50 State Surveys see our guide on:

Comparing State Law - Prepare to Practice Guide

Comparing State Law

For 50 State Surveys on Health Law visit:

50 State Surveys - Health - Westlaw
50 State Surveys - COVID19 - Westlaw
50 State Surveys Healthcare, Public Health, & Welfare Law - Lexis
State by State Guide to Managed Care Law

Legislative History

Federal & State Legislative History by Mindy Kent Last Updated Apr 18, 2024 393 views this year

This may help when considering the impact of Federal and State statutes related to health. Consider searching for earlier versions of the law, supporting testimony, and additional documentation. If available, consider consulting published legislative history.

A Legislative history of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and its Amendments.
Legislative History of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996
Legislative History of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003
Legislative History of the Social Security Amendments of 1965
Legislative History of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
ProQuest Regulatory Insight Find regulations that have been promulgated as a result of the ACA.

If there is no existing legislative history, researchers may need to consult congressional materials directly.

Regulatory & Administrative Law

Regulations comprise a substantial portion of primary sources in health law research. Statutes may enable change in health policy (such as the Affordable Care Act) and create specific health programs (such as Medicare and Medicaid). Yet, the way those policies and programs are administered relies primarily on regulation.

If you are unfamiliar with how to conduct regulatory research, please visit:

Administrative Law Research by AJ Blechner Last Updated Apr 12, 2024 599 views this year

The regulatory process can be complex, especially in the field of health care. Multiple agencies can be involved in promulgating regulations, further complicating the process. This visual overview can be helpful:

It may be easiest to start with a regulation by number or agency by name. Secondary sources such as books, scholarly articles, or advocacy communications can help you get started.

Government agencies websites provide information about proposed regulations and track them through the regulatory process.

Federalregister.gov Contains federal agency documents, including proposed rules, final rules, public notices, and Presidential actions. This unofficial format provides the same material printed in the official Federal Register. It also contains related material from the Code of Federal Regulations and the US Code.
Regulations.gov Allows users to search regulatory materials, submit comments, and sign up for email alerts. Some agencies require that comments be submitted through their own individual platforms. However, regulations.gov serves as a clearinghouse for the majority of publicly available public comment material.
Reginfo.gov Produced by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the General Services Administration (GSA). OMB's Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) reviews Federal regulations and information collections. The site provides information about regulations under development to enable public participation.

Administrative Materials are also accessible on both Westlaw and Lexis:

Health Law Regulations - Westlaw
Health Law Administrative Decisions & Guidance - Westlaw
Healthcare Law Administrative Codes & Regulations - Lexis
Healthcare Law Administrative Materials - Lexis

Agency websites also contain regulations and resources that can aid in conducting research:

Health and Human Services Regulations
Food & Drug Administration Regulations
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Regulations
Federal & State Health Law Cases - Westlaw
Federal & State Health Law Cases - Lexis

Some agencies can also decide cases related to particular regulations. These agency decisions may not be included in general case law databases. Decisions can often be accessed through agency websites:

HHS Compliance - Advisory Opinions
CMS Medicare Advantage/Prescription Drug Plan Decisions
HHS Departmental Appeals Board Decisions
HHS Enforcement Actions
FDA Enforcement Reports
FDA Warning Letters

Using Practice Materials

Practitioners often write the most helpful resources in the field of health law. Although they have similarities to treatises, they are directed at lawyers in practice. They may contain checklists and forms not available in a traditional treatise.

Practice Centers

Healthcare Practice Center - Vitallaw
Health Practice Center - Bloomberg Law
Health Law Practice Center - Westlaw
Medical Litigation Practice Center - Westlaw
Healthcare Law Practice Center - Lexis

Practitioner Materials

Handbooks and guides are helpful when working on health law issues as a new practitioner.

Health Law Handbook
Health Care Compliance Guide - Bloomberg
Health Law Practice Guide
Health Care Law: A Practical Guide

Current Awareness Sources

Advocacy resources.

POLITICO Pro PoliticoPro provides subject-based issue and policy tracking tools in multiple areas including Health Care. It prepares issue pages for major policy areas. Features include: news, calendar function, whiteboard, charts, graphs, and glossaries, all in well-organized practice centers. PoliticoPro content relies on policy experts in the field, writing in real time. The site also stores all primary source documents in a "document drawer" for easy access.
Legistorm The In the News section curates news from Capitol Hill. StormFeed provides updates from press releases, twitter accounts from legislators, and relevant trending hashtags. For regular alerts request a personal account, contact [email protected].
Vitallaw The Health Care library includes several Daily Documents and Newsletters. Researchers can also find CMS manuals and guidance, and State Health Care information.

News Sources

Keeping up-to-date with new developments in the field of health law will enhance research projects. Recent headlines in the field may also inspire researchers still looking for a paper topic. Use these links to find news sources related to health law:

Kaiser Health News A nonprofit news service committed to in-depth coverage of health care policy and politics (not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente).
Health Affairs A leading peer-reviewed journal of health policy thought and research. Aims to offer a nonpartisan forum to promote analysis and discussion.
Medpac An independent congressional agency advising the U.S. Congress on issues affecting the Medicare program.
Health Law & Business News - Bloomberg
Health Law Daily - Westlaw Daily updates on current health law developments including the areas of food safety and Medicaid.

Legal Blogs have become an increasingly rich source of information and legal news. Below are two indices to health law blogs:

ABA Journal Health Law Blogs Index
Justia Healthcare Law Blogs

Non Profits and NGOs

National Agencies and Organizations from Pace Health Law Research Guide

The following organizations may be particularly useful to researchers:

Center for Medicare Advocacy Nonprofit, nonpartisan law organization providing education, advocacy, and legal assistance to help people obtain Medicare. In addition to the newsroom, you can sign up for alerts via email.
Families USA A consumer advocacy group that focuses on Health Care, with a robust newsroom. You can access insights, reports, raw data, and more under their resources tab.

Kaiser Family Foundation

Kaiser Family Foundation A non-profit organization focusing on national health issues. They provide policy analysis, journalism, and communication for the general public.

Kaiser Health News includes a morning briefing and updates via email or RSS feed:

Community Catalyst

Community Catalyst Non-profit dedicated to consumer health advocacy, working in 40 states across the country.
Dual Agenda Newsletter Includes state highlights on health care reform. Their ACA Implementation Fund partners with state-based advocacy groups on issues related to the implementation of health care reform. They focus on the state level, and explore the impact of potential repeal.
Health Policy Hub Blog Allows for email subscription.

The latest posts from their feed are included below:

Health & Medical Field Resources

Health law is an interdisciplinary area. You may benefit from accessing health and biomedical resources.

For unfamiliar terms and acronyms consult the following:

There are several health and medical databases that may be helpful in your research:

Harvard Medicine & Public Health Databases
PubMed For how to use please visit the Pubmed Research Guide
Web of Science

Additional Resources

Health law also touches on many different research areas. These additional research guides contain important content related to health law:

Health Policy by James Adams Last Updated May 25, 2023 151 views this year
Law and Public Policy by Mindy Kent Last Updated Apr 12, 2024 408 views this year
Research Guide on International Health Law GlobaLex Guide from Professor Chenglin Liu, St. Mary's University School of Law

Contact Us!

Ask Us! Submit a question or search our knowledge base.

Chat with us! Chat with a librarian (HLS only)

Email: [email protected]

Contact Historical & Special Collections at [email protected]

Meet with Us Schedule an online consult with a Librarian

Hours Library Hours

Classes View Training Calendar or Request an Insta-Class

Text Ask a Librarian, 617-702-2728

Call Reference & Research Services, 617-495-4516

This guide is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License .

You may reproduce any part of it for noncommercial purposes as long as credit is included and it is shared in the same manner.

Last Updated: Apr 12, 2024 4:50 PM
URL: https://guides.library.harvard.edu/law/health

Harvard University Digital Accessibility Policy

Center for Law and the Public's Health

Make a Gift
Training & Education
Research & Resources
Effect of Variations in State Emergency Preparedness Laws on the Public Health Workforce’s Willingness to Respond in Emergencies
Legal and Ethical Assessment Concerning Mental and Behavioral Health Preparedness
Developing a Legal Review and Toolkit for Reviewing the Health Claims for Food Marketed to Children and Their Families
Motor Vehicles
Effect of Interorganizational Relationships and Infrastructure Variation on Public Health System Efforts to Address Prescription Drug Abuse
Public Health Litigation
Child Restraint Systems
Bicycle Helmets Law Map
Autonomous Vehicles Law Map
Regulation of Intimacy
Environmental Health Law

Research Topics and Resources

Research topics with related reports and publications.

The Center explores innovative uses of the law through legal and empirical research projects on various public health topics.

Here you can find fact sheets, legal memoranda, slideshows, policy analyses, and scholarly articles related to our public health law research.

Legal Mapping Studies

These topic-specific law maps help scholars and practitioners capture the scope of existing public health law for analysis and evaluation.

These model public health laws provide sample legal language for states and localities to adopt in whole or in part.

An official website of the United States government

The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Publications
Account settings

Preview improvements coming to the PMC website in October 2024. Learn More or Try it out now .

Advanced Search
Journal List
Indian J Psychiatry
v.58(Suppl 2); 2016 Dec

Mental health and the law: An overview and need to develop and strengthen the discipline of forensic psychiatry in India

Pratima murthy.

Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

B. C. Malathesh

C. naveen kumar, suresh bada math.

Human rights and mental health care of vulnerable population need supportive legislations and policies. Both “hard” and “soft” laws relevant to mental health care have been devised internationally and locally. Amendments in laws and the formulation of new laws are often required and have been seen to occur in the area of mental health care in India. So far, reform in mental health care has largely been reactive, but newer legislations and policies carry the hope of proactive reform. The lack of trained human resources is one of the biggest problems in effective mental health care delivery in India. While postgraduate psychiatric guidelines recommend a 2-week training in forensic psychiatry, this is insufficient to develop the necessary competence in the area. There is, thus, a need to develop subspecialty of forensic psychiatry. Forensic psychiatric services also need to be developed, properly structured, and supported. There is a need to set up one or more centers of excellence in forensic psychiatry in India.

INTRODUCTION

People with mental disorders are vulnerable to abuse and violation of their basic rights.[ 1 ] Such abuse or violation may occur from diverse elements in society including institutions, family members, caregivers, professionals, friends, unrelated members of the community, and law enforcing agencies. This sets an imperative for a protective mechanism to ensure appropriate, adequate, timely, and humane health care services.[ 2 ] Such protective mechanisms include legislative provisions and policies to ensure that the rights of this vulnerable group are protected. In the undeniable context that every society needs laws in various areas to maintain the well-being of its people, mental health care is one such important area that requires appropriate legislation.

In this paper, we first provide a brief overview of the “hard” and “soft” laws that have been influential in mental health policy and care, both internationally and nationally. We then provide a brief glimpse of some of the efforts at the national level to address issues of human rights of persons with mental illness. This is followed by a summary of the broad areas that forensic psychiatry embraces. We then examine the status of forensic psychiatry in India and finally discuss the need to develop comprehensive forensic services and training in India.

“HARD” AND “SOFT” LAWS GOVERNING OR INFLUENCING MENTAL HEALTH CARE

“Hard” laws refer to laws that are binding and enforceable internationally or domestically. “Soft” laws, on the other hand, are not binding. However, soft laws if well constructed and reflect a broad consensus can become a model for future legislation.[ 3 ] In the last 70 years, there have been a number of international conventions, declarations, covenants, etc., that have reference to mental illnesses/mental health of an individual. Table 1 gives details of legally binding international instruments relevant to mental health. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHRs)[ 4 ] was adopted in 1948. Article 1 of the UDHRs, adopted by the United Nations in 1948, provides that “all people are free and equal in rights and dignity” – “establishing that people with mental disabilities are protected by human rights law by virtue of their basic humanity”

International legally binding instruments

An external file that holds a picture, illustration, etc.
Object name is IJPsy-58-181-g001.jpg

India is a signatory to many of these international declarations and thus has an obligation to align her laws to suit these.

In India, some of the hard laws pertaining to mental health include The Mental Health Act, 1987; The Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993; Persons with Disability Act, 1995; The National Trust Act, 1999; Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005; Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, and related legislations. A prominent statutory legislation regulating narcotics is the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act 1985.

Strictly speaking, “soft” laws are not really laws at all; they are rules or policies that are quasi-legal and not binding. They are defined as having “hortatory” obligations, i.e., statements in the nature of promises. It is argued that in the course of time, these may become binding. Some examples include the National Mental Health Policy 2014 and the National Mental Health Programme (with its operational arm, the District Mental Health Programme).[ 12 ] Another example is the National Programme on Noncommunicable Diseases.[ 13 ]

AMENDMENTS AND NEW LAWS

An amendment is a formal or official change made to a law. Such amendments may occur to improve the law, correct errors, improve equity, make the provisions more stringent, or to make sure that the law is compliant with international conventions. The NDPS Act was thus amended thrice, the last time in 2014. With respect to the Mental Health Care Act 1987, several shortcomings were recognized in the act; state rules were not formulated for decades after its enactment and the need for compliance with the UNCRPD led to several debates about whether to amend the existing law or enact a new one.[ 14 ] At present, the Mental Health Care Bill 2016 which was approved by the Rajya Sabha awaits ratification in the Lok Sabha. Similarly, the Rights of Persons with Disability Bill, which is intended to replace the Act of 1995, was introduced in 2014 and awaits ratification.

MENTAL HEALTH CARE REFORM IN INDIA

Although the National Mental Health Programme in the country has been existent since 1982 and was re-strategized in 1996, it would be appropriate to state that policy and programming in mental health so far has been more reactive than proactive. Tragedies like Erwadi and a series of public interest litigations (PILs) that have been filed before the Supreme Court of India have been major drivers of change.[ 15 ] Some of the PILs have not only focused on institutional treatments but also focused on economic, social, and cultural rights of persons with mental illness. A series of reports from the National Human Rights Commission[ 16 , 17 ] highlights the gross deficiencies that existed in institutional care of persons with mental illness and also demonstrated the positive changes that could be brought about with persistent monitoring, collaboration, and proactive intervention – structural facilities and living conditions improved, budgets improved, voluntary admissions became more frequent than court admissions, there was greater community participation, and the need for rehabilitation of persons with mental illness received greater focus. However, these reports have also highlighted the negative aspects in terms of inadequate human resources and poor psychosocial interventions, among others.

Meantime, the need to provide the least restrictive care for persons with mental illness and by extension to develop adequate community care facilities for persons with mental illness has been the driving philosophy of the National Mental Health Policy. However, a recent report compiling state and union territory reports of the status of mental health care reveals extremely low coverage of primary mental health care in the country.[ 18 ] The recently published Mental Health Survey Report[ 19 ] carried out in 12 states of the country estimates the prevalence of mental disorders at 10.6%, and the mental health care gap that has been calculated in these states as varying between 70.4% and 86.3%. In reality, given the huge inequity of mental health care resources across different states, and local ecologies that may aggravate mental distress, the mental health care treatment gap may be much higher. Mental health care, like other health care, requires human resources, facilities, and protected budgets. Whether the new Act will ensure equitable care to persons with mental illness remains to be seen. However, one stark truth is that there needs to be a concerted drive to improve human resources in mental health care, and that will be the biggest challenge in the decades ahead.[ 20 ] While there is a need to train all health providers in issues related to mental health, it is also important to develop specialists in different aspects of mental health care. In addition, strengthening undergraduate psychiatry training as well as postgraduate training in psychiatry is of primary importance.

POSTGRADUATE TRAINING IN PSYCHIATRY

In the postgraduate training guidelines formulated by the Indian Psychiatric Society,[ 21 ] a 2-week posting in forensic psychiatry is recommended. Unfortunately, there are few centers in the country that have any specialized forensic psychiatry service. Thus, many postgraduate students from different institutions throughout the country come to centers such as the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) which have relatively more structured forensic psychiatry services. However, it is important to emphasize that throughout postgraduate psychiatry, whether in adult psychiatry, child psychiatry, addiction treatment services, emergency services, etc., it is very important for the postgraduate trainee to be aware of the medicolegal aspects of psychiatric practice. With this caveat, we further discuss more specialized training in forensic psychiatry and the need to develop forensic psychiatry as a specialized discipline within psychiatry. One such area of specialization is in forensic psychiatry.

THE EXPANDING HORIZON OF FORENSIC PSYCHIATRY

Over time, the narrow notion that forensic psychiatry mainly concerns itself with criminal responsibility and fitness to stand trial has long been dissipated, and it is clear that several civil aspects of mental health as well as issues related to treatment of mental illness come under the domain of forensic psychiatry. The interface between mental health and law is vast as shown in Figure 1 .

An external file that holds a picture, illustration, etc.
Object name is IJPsy-58-181-g002.jpg

Various facets of mental illness and law

FORENSIC PSYCHIATRY AS A SUBSPECIALTY OF PSYCHIATRY

Pollack defined Forensic Psychiatry as a “broad general field in which psychiatric theories, concepts, principles and practices are applied to any and all legal issues.” The American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law endorses the definition of Forensic Psychiatry adopted by the American Board of Forensic Psychiatry. “Forensic Psychiatry is a subspecialty of psychiatry in which scientific and clinical expertise is applied to legal issues in legal contexts embracing civil, criminal, and correctional or legislative matters; forensic psychiatry should be practiced in accordance with guidelines and ethical principles enunciated by the profession of psychiatry.”[ 22 ]

The origin of Forensic Psychiatry in India dates back to the drafting of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) by Thomas Babington Macaulay during the mid-19 th century. During the same time, the Mc Naughten's rules were incorporated into the IPC, Section 84, and are the basis for the insanity defense. This has not changed till date. However, there have been many landmark judgments with regard to Section 84, IPC.[ 23 ]

Regarding civil responsibilities, mental illness is relevant across diverse areas. For example, issues such as marriage, divorce, testamentary capacity, contract, voting, consent, fitness for holding and continuing jobs, succession of property rights, guardianship, and social welfare benefits have reference to mental health and illness either directly or indirectly. The new provisions in the Mental Healthcare Bill, 2016, and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities are expected to bring a paradigm shift in the conceptualization of care of those with psychiatric disorders.

CURRENT STATUS OF TRAINING IN FORENSIC PSYCHIATRY IN INDIA

In India, there is very little infrastructure and organized training in forensic psychiatry. Most psychiatric units do not have a dedicated forensic psychiatry ward/unit. Most forensic evaluations are done by the treating psychiatrist who has had little or no formal training in forensic psychiatry. Thus, in many cases, decisions occur by trial and error or in good faith, rather than being based in skill and competence.

There are no specialized training programs in forensic psychiatry in India. Countries like UK offer a 3-year advanced structured training program in forensic psychiatry, which can be taken after 3 years of core psychiatry training. There are a few centers in the country where training in Forensic Psychology has been initiated.

The programs in developing competencies in forensic psychiatry need to concentrate on multiple areas and contexts. These are summarized in Table 2 .

Skills and competencies required in forensic psychiatry training

An external file that holds a picture, illustration, etc.
Object name is IJPsy-58-181-g003.jpg

A BRIEF NOTE ON RESEARCH IN FORENSIC PSYCHIATRY

Indian literature on forensic issues such as negligence, informed consent, confidentiality, certification, seclusion, suicide, homicide, and the complication of various therapies is very negligible.[ 24 ] In the last 50 years, there are hardly 50 articles published on forensic psychiatry in the Indian Journal of Psychiatry. There articles can be broadly arranged under the following three headings: (a) criminology related psychiatric aspects, (b) mental health legislation related, and (c) others. More recently, a survey conducted by NIMHANS in the Bengaluru Central Prison[ 25 ] showed that 79.6% prisoners had either mental illness or substance use disorder. After excluding substance use, 27.6% had diagnosable mental disorder. There were high rates of tobacco use within the prison and in fact a 4-time increase in tobacco consumption after getting into prison. On conducting a random urine drug screen, 61.3% of those screened anonymously tested positive for one or the other drug. About 12.7% has life time history of major depressive disorder and 9.1% had current episode of major depression. Nearly 2.2% of prisoners had psychosis with substantial of them being substance use related psychosis. Another study done by Chadda and Amarjeeth in Tihar jail of Delhi in 1998[ 26 ] revealed that prevalence of psychiatric illness in prisoners was 3.4%. They also found that depression and schizophrenia were the most common diagnosis in patients involved in major crimes and majority of patients with schizophrenia were implicated in cases of homicide. These studies highlight the need for mental health care in prisons.[ 25 ]

ETHICAL ISSUES IN RESEARCH IN FORENSIC PSYCHIATRY

Soundness of mind is generally assumed in other branches of medicine, but in psychiatric research, there are often individuals who lack full judgment capacity or decision-making capacity.[ 25 ] The most common ethical dilemma in forensic psychiatry is between the two principles of (a) beneficence or promotion of welfare and (b) respect for justice.[ 27 ] The forensic psychiatrist often has to make a choice between well-being of the patient and well-being of the society as a whole. In India, the psychiatrist practicing forensic psychiatry has the dual role of both carrying out forensic assessments as well as providing medical treatment. In settings with well-established forensic services, one way of overcoming this dilemma has been to have forensic psychiatrists carrying out mental assessments of mentally ill offenders on behalf of the legal system, and treatment provision by a different set of treating professionals.

The ultimate aim of the forensic psychiatrist should be revelation of truth as part of pursuit of justice without affecting privacy and autonomy of the patient.[ 28 ] As per the American Academy of Psychiatry and Law, forensic evaluation should never be conducted for either prosecution or government until the evaluee has had access to legal counsel.[ 29 ]

MENTALLY ILL OFFENDERS

Although most prisons do have facilities to address basic physical health issues, prison-based mental health services are in a very rudimentary state in India. Many of the prisons have facilities of a visiting psychiatrist but not a full-time psychiatrist. Routine assessments for mental disorders or substance use are rarely carried out and a psychiatrist is usually only called upon only if there any signs of mental illness in an undertrial prisoner or convict. Another issue of serious concern is that there is no practice of routine mental status assessment in prisoners condemned to death.

After a landmark observation in the 1980s of “noncriminal lunatics” languishing in jails in very poor conditions, such a practice was considered unconstitutional and a violation of human rights.[ 30 ] These findings indicate urgent need for the diversion of prisoners with mental illness to mental health care settings.[ 26 ] However, mental health care settings are ill equipped to take on this responsibility at present.

The mental condition of the offender is specifically of concern to the judicial system in two scenarios, one to ascertain mental state at the time of committing the crime and the other to assess fitness to stand trial. Such patients may be evaluated as outpatient or where facilities exist, as inpatients. Security is a prime concern when prison referrals occur as such patients are under the dual custody of the superintendents of the jail and the mental health facility. Apart from security, there are several other challenges in the inpatient assessment and care of undertrial and convict prisoners referred to a psychiatric facility. An important issue is the lack of background information about the patient's history, behavior, and serial mental state examinations before referral. The second is the lack of clear guidelines about the involvement and engagement of the family and legal counsel in patient care and decision-making. Determining mental state at the time of committing the offense is also challenging as the individual is often referred to psychiatric services long after incarceration and commencement of the trial. The lack of access to objective forensic investigations makes it difficult to identify offenders feigning insanity.

Inpatient forensic services require appropriate infrastructure, well-trained human resources, adequate security, facilities for close behavioral observation and monitoring, specialized investigations, and well-developed and structured assessments and procedures. This can be implemented only by creating dedicated infrastructure and human resources for forensic psychiatry.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Forensic psychiatry remains a neglected area in India and other countries in South-East Asia. This is unlike many of the developed settings where it has become an established subspecialty with a focus on clinical services, training, and research. Academic centers need to actively engage in developing this area. They need to consider the fast-growing need of developing this specialty, recognize the vast scope of the field, and device curricula that cater to the diverse needs of the country. Dedicated clinical services need to be started for this vulnerable patient population. Apart from the dedicated fellowships and super-specialties, training courses catering to the different mental health disciplines (psychiatry, clinical psychology, psychiatric social work, and psychiatric nursing) students in other branches of medicine and law also need to be trained in the forensic aspects of mental health care. In addition, various other stakeholders who need regular sensitization and training in issues relating to mental health include law enforcement agencies, judiciary, advocates, and women and child welfare departments, commissions related to the mental health (including the Human Rights Commissions, Women's Commissions, Child Welfare Commissions, etc.). Support for focused research in many areas of overlap between mental health and the law is also critical. It is important for government to take initiatives to establish centers of excellence in forensic psychiatry.

One such effort has begun at the NIMHANS, Bengaluru, where such a center has been conceptualized, and a postdoctoral fellowship in forensic psychiatry has been initiated in 2016. The proposed center, called the Centre for Human Rights, Ethics, Law and Mental Health, has the objectives of (a) enhancing trained human resources in the areas of forensic psychiatry, law and human rights of persons with mental illness, (b) establishing and providing the highest standards in diagnostic and investigative approaches in forensic psychiatry, (c) developing a state of art clinical and resource facility in forensic psychiatry, (d) facilitating the development of quality forensic services in different parts of the country, (e) contributing to capacity building by providing training in forensic psychiatry for mental health, medical, police personnel, human rights activists and law professionals, (f) developing and strengthening inter-disciplinary, inter-institutional and international collaboration to foster research in forensic psychiatry, (g) developing guidelines, standard operating procedures, providing expert opinion in the area of forensic psychiatry, (h) conducting research with regard to mental health laws, medico-legal psychiatry, forensic psychiatry and child forensic psychiatry, and to (i) guiding national policy and develop national guidelines for developing quality forensic psychiatric services in India.

Financial support and sponsorship

Conflicts of interest.

There are no conflicts of interest.

Health Law Research Paper Topics

This page offers a comprehensive guide on health law research paper topics aimed at students studying law and assigned to write research papers. The page is structured into several sections to provide a complete resource for students, starting with an abstract that introduces the keyphrase and sets the context for the content. It will cover a comprehensive list of health law research paper topics divided into 10 categories, an in-depth article on health law and its wide range of research paper topics, tips on choosing suitable topics, and guidance on how to write an effective health law research paper. Additionally, the page will present iResearchNet’s custom health law research paper writing services.

100 Health Law Research Paper Topics

Health law is a multifaceted field that intersects with various aspects of healthcare, ethics, policy, and regulations. As students venture into the world of health law research, they encounter a vast array of intriguing topics that hold immense relevance in today’s healthcare landscape. This section presents a comprehensive list of health law research paper topics, carefully curated into ten distinct categories, each offering unique perspectives and opportunities for in-depth exploration. Whether you are interested in analyzing the legal implications of healthcare policies, delving into medical ethics dilemmas, or examining the legal aspects of global health, this diverse collection of health law research paper topics aims to inspire students to embark on meaningful and impactful research endeavors in the realm of health law.

Academic Writing, Editing, Proofreading, And Problem Solving Services

Get 10% off with 24start discount code.

The Impact of the Affordable Care Act on Healthcare Access and Affordability
Medicaid Expansion and its Effect on Low-Income Populations
Healthcare Reform and the Future of Private Insurance Companies
Assessing the Legal Framework of Universal Healthcare Systems
Analyzing the Role of Health Insurance Marketplaces in Improving Coverage
The Legal Landscape of Value-Based Care and Alternative Payment Models
Health Information Privacy and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Legal Implications of Medicare and Medicaid Fraud and Abuse
Medical Malpractice Laws and their Impact on Healthcare Providers
Telemedicine Laws and the Expansion of Virtual Healthcare Services
End-of-Life Decision-Making: Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide
Organ Transplantation: Ethical Allocation of Donor Organs
Informed Consent: Balancing Patient Autonomy and Medical Paternalism
Legal and Ethical Implications of Human Genome Editing
Confidentiality in Mental Health Treatment: Patient Privacy vs. Public Safety
The Role of Law in Addressing Human Reproductive Cloning
Legal and Ethical Considerations in Genetic Testing and Counseling
Ethical Challenges in Human Subject Research and Clinical Trials
Discrimination in Healthcare: Legal Protections for Vulnerable Populations
Legal and Ethical Dimensions of Artificial Intelligence in Medical Decision-Making
The Role of Law in Addressing Public Health Emergencies: Lessons from COVID-19
Legal Interventions to Promote Vaccination and Herd Immunity
Environmental Justice: Assessing the Legal Framework for Protecting Vulnerable Communities
Food Safety Regulation and the Prevention of Foodborne Illnesses
Tobacco Control Policies and their Impact on Public Health
Legal Aspects of Water Pollution Control and Environmental Regulation
Legal and Ethical Considerations in Controlling Infectious Diseases Outbreaks
Health Impact Assessments: Evaluating the Legal Framework for Community Health
The Intersection of Environmental Law and Occupational Health and Safety
Climate Change and Health: Legal Strategies for Mitigation and Adaptation
Involuntary Commitment: Balancing Individual Liberty and Public Safety
Legal and Ethical Challenges in Treating Minors with Mental Health Conditions
Mental Health Parity Laws: Improving Access to Mental Health Services
Legal Implications of Telepsychiatry and Online Mental Health Services
Mental Health Stigma and Discrimination: Legal Measures for Social Change
Legal Considerations in Mental Health Treatment for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities
Criminalization of Mental Illness: Examining Mental Health Courts and Diversion Programs
Legal and Ethical Issues in the Confidentiality of Mental Health Records
The Role of Law in Addressing the Opioid Epidemic: Prevention, Treatment, and Harm Reduction
Legal Protections for Patients with Substance Use Disorders: Advocating for Their Rights
Detecting and Preventing Healthcare Billing Fraud and Abuse
Whistleblower Protections: Encouraging Reporting of Healthcare Fraud
Legal and Ethical Issues in Off-Label Drug Marketing
The Role of Data Analytics in Fraud Detection and Prevention
False Claims Act Cases: Evaluating their Impact on Healthcare Providers
Kickbacks and Stark Law Violations: Legal Implications for Healthcare Entities
Anti-Kickback Statute and Safe Harbors: Analyzing their Effectiveness in Preventing Fraud
Legal Challenges in Investigating and Prosecuting Healthcare Fraud
Healthcare Compliance Programs: Legal and Ethical Considerations
Restitution and Remedies for Healthcare Fraud: Balancing Justice and Rehabilitation
Medical Malpractice Laws and their Impact on Patient Safety
Medication Errors: Legal Implications and Preventive Measures
Legal Aspects of Adverse Events and Medical Negligence
Liability for Healthcare Technology and Telemedicine Services
The Influence of Tort Reform on Patient Safety and Healthcare Practices
Legal Protections for Patient Safety Advocates and Whistleblowers
Legal and Ethical Considerations in Error Disclosure and Apology
The Role of Law in Reducing Healthcare-Associated Infections
Healthcare Error Reporting Systems: Evaluating their Efficacy in Improving Safety
The Legal Landscape of Patient Safety Culture in Healthcare Organizations
Ethical Implications of Human Gene Editing and Genetic Engineering
Cloning and Stem Cell Research: Legal and Ethical Boundaries
The Ethics of Human Research and Clinical Trials in Biotechnology
Legal and Ethical Issues in Human Reproduction Technologies
The Role of Law in Regulating Gene Therapy and Genetic Enhancements
Legal Considerations in Bioinformatics and Genomic Data Sharing
The Intersection of Bioethics and Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
Ethical Challenges in Neurotechnology and Brain-Computer Interfaces
Legal and Ethical Implications of Organ Transplant Allocation
Gene Patents and Intellectual Property Rights: Balancing Innovation and Access
Legal Strategies for Addressing Healthcare Disparities and Inequalities
The Role of Law in Ensuring Access to Affordable Prescription Drugs
Health Equity and Social Determinants of Health: Legal Approaches for Change
Medicaid Expansion and Health Insurance Coverage for Vulnerable Populations
Legal Protections for Immigrant Healthcare Access
Healthcare Rationing and Resource Allocation: Ethical and Legal Challenges
The Impact of Discrimination on Health Outcomes: Legal and Policy Responses
Legal and Ethical Considerations in Reproductive Healthcare Access
The Role of Law in Promoting Mental Health Equity
Legal and Policy Approaches to Reduce Health Disparities in Rural Areas
Data Privacy and Security in Digital Health Records
Telehealth Policy and Regulation: Promoting Access and Quality
Legal Challenges in AI-Based Medical Diagnostics and Decision Support Systems
Legal and Ethical Implications of Health Data Analytics and Machine Learning
Cybersecurity in Healthcare: Mitigating Risks and Ensuring Compliance
Legal Considerations in Internet of Things (IoT) Medical Devices
Regulation of Health Apps and Wearable Health Technology
Legal and Ethical Aspects of Health Information Exchange
The Role of Law in Regulating Precision Medicine and Personalized Healthcare
AI in Clinical Decision-Making: Liability and Accountability Issues
International Health Regulations: Legal Framework for Pandemic Preparedness
The Role of Law in Addressing Global Health Crises and Disease Outbreaks
Legal Aspects of Humanitarian Medical Aid and Disaster Relief
Intellectual Property Rights and Access to Medicines in Developing Countries
Legal and Ethical Considerations in Medical Tourism
Legal Implications of Cross-Border Healthcare and Telemedicine
The Role of Law in Protecting the Rights of Refugees and Displaced Populations
Global Health Governance and the Role of International Organizations
Legal and Ethical Challenges in Global Vaccine Distribution
Environmental Health and International Agreements: Navigating Legal Boundaries

The realm of health law is a dynamic and evolving field with far-reaching implications for society’s well-being and the healthcare landscape. The comprehensive list of health law research paper topics presented in this section demonstrates the diverse and complex nature of this legal discipline. From examining the intricacies of healthcare policies and regulations to exploring medical ethics dilemmas and global health challenges, students have an extensive range of subjects to delve into for their research projects. As aspiring legal scholars and practitioners, delving into these topics will not only expand their knowledge but also contribute to the ongoing advancements and improvements in healthcare delivery, ethics, and policy. Through in-depth research and analysis, students can actively contribute to shaping a more just and equitable healthcare system for generations to come.

Health Law: Exploring the Range of Topics

Health law is a crucial and multifaceted field that intersects with various aspects of healthcare, ethics, policies, and patient rights. As the legal landscape continues to adapt to the complexities of modern healthcare systems, the study of health law becomes increasingly significant. This section delves into the world of health law, highlighting its relevance and the diverse range of research paper topics it offers.

Understanding Health Law and Its Significance : Health law encompasses a broad spectrum of legal principles and regulations that govern the healthcare industry and the rights of patients. Its primary goal is to ensure the provision of high-quality healthcare while safeguarding patients’ rights and ethical standards. Health law is an indispensable component of the legal system, as it addresses the legal implications of medical practices, healthcare policies, and medical research.
Ethical Considerations in Health Law Research : Medical ethics plays a central role in health law research, as it deals with the moral and ethical dilemmas faced by healthcare providers, patients, and policymakers. Topics in this area may include the ethical implications of medical experimentation, end-of-life decision-making, informed consent, and confidentiality of patient information.
Healthcare Policies and Regulations : Health law heavily influences healthcare policies and regulations, which shape the delivery and accessibility of medical services. Research topics in this category could explore the Affordable Care Act and its impact on healthcare access, the regulation of health insurance providers, healthcare reform initiatives, and the role of government in healthcare policy-making.
Patient Rights and Advocacy : Health law upholds and protects the rights of patients, ensuring they receive fair treatment and access to appropriate medical care. Research papers in this area may cover patient privacy rights, informed consent, the right to refuse medical treatment, and the legal avenues available for patients seeking redress for medical malpractice.
Medical Malpractice and Liability : The study of health law involves an examination of medical malpractice laws and the legal implications of medical errors. Research topics may include the standard of care in medical practice, the role of expert witnesses in medical malpractice cases, and the impact of medical liability insurance on healthcare costs.
Healthcare Fraud and Abuse : Health law addresses issues related to healthcare fraud and abuse, aiming to prevent fraudulent activities in the healthcare industry. Topics in this category could explore Medicare and Medicaid fraud, kickbacks in healthcare, and the legal measures taken to combat healthcare fraud.
Health Equity and Access to Care : Health law plays a critical role in promoting health equity and ensuring equitable access to healthcare services for all individuals. Research topics may delve into the legal challenges in achieving health equity, disparities in healthcare access, and the legal framework for addressing healthcare inequalities.
Mental Health Law and Policy : The intersection of law and mental health is a significant area of research in health law. Topics in this field may cover the legal rights of individuals with mental health conditions, involuntary commitment laws, and the integration of mental health services into the broader healthcare system.
Public Health Law and Emergency Preparedness : Public health law is concerned with safeguarding the health and well-being of the community. Research topics may include the legal framework for responding to public health emergencies, vaccination policies, and legal challenges in disease outbreak management.
Biomedical Research and Human Subjects : Health law addresses the ethical and legal considerations in biomedical research involving human subjects. Topics in this area may explore informed consent in research, the protection of vulnerable populations, and the legal framework for clinical trials.

The complexities and evolving nature of health law present a myriad of research opportunities for students and scholars. As healthcare continues to advance, so do the legal and ethical challenges it brings. By exploring the diverse range of health law research paper topics, students can actively contribute to shaping the future of healthcare and the legal framework that governs it. Through in-depth research and analysis, they can propose innovative solutions to address the ethical, policy, and legal complexities of modern healthcare systems. As the field of health law continues to evolve, the research carried out by students will undoubtedly have a profound impact on shaping a more just, ethical, and equitable healthcare system for society as a whole.

How to Choose a Health Law Topic

Selecting a compelling and relevant research paper topic is a crucial step in the academic journey of law students exploring health law. With the vast array of legal issues and ethical considerations within the healthcare domain, narrowing down a specific research focus can be challenging. However, with a systematic approach and a clear understanding of your interests and objectives, you can navigate the process effectively. This section presents essential tips to help you choose the most suitable health law research paper topic for your study.

Understand Your Course and Assignment Requirements : Before diving into the topic selection process, thoroughly review your course syllabus and assignment guidelines. Ensure that you grasp the specific requirements set by your instructor and the objectives of the research paper. Understanding the scope, length, and format expectations will help you tailor your research to meet the necessary criteria.
Identify Your Areas of Interest : Health law is a vast and diverse field, covering various legal and ethical aspects of healthcare. Take some time to reflect on your personal interests and the areas of health law that intrigue you the most. Whether you are passionate about patient rights, healthcare policies, medical ethics, or public health, choosing a topic that resonates with you will make the research process more enjoyable and rewarding.
Stay Updated with Current Health Law Developments : Health law is constantly evolving due to advancements in medical technology, changes in healthcare policies, and legal precedents. To choose a relevant and timely research topic, keep yourself informed about recent developments and emerging issues in health law. Read academic journals, legal publications, and reputable news sources to stay updated with the latest trends and debates in the field.
Conduct Preliminary Research : To gain a deeper understanding of potential research topics, conduct preliminary research on broad health law themes that interest you. This will help you identify specific subtopics and issues within those themes that you find compelling. Take note of any gaps in the existing literature or areas that need further exploration.
Consult Your Professors and Peers : Engaging in discussions with your professors and peers can provide valuable insights and suggestions for potential research paper topics. They may offer guidance on relevant issues, recommend scholarly resources, and provide feedback on your initial ideas.
Analyze the Legal and Ethical Relevance : Once you have a list of potential research paper topics, evaluate their legal and ethical relevance. Consider the impact of the topic on healthcare policies, patient rights, and medical practices. Ask yourself how your research can contribute to the existing body of knowledge and address real-world challenges in health law.
Narrow Down Your Focus : As you evaluate your potential research topics, it is essential to narrow down your focus to a specific and manageable research question. Avoid overly broad topics that may lack depth and clarity. Instead, aim for a well-defined research question that allows you to conduct an in-depth analysis within the scope of your research paper.
Consider the Feasibility of Data Collection : Some research topics may require access to specific data, legal documents, or expert interviews. Consider the feasibility of data collection for your chosen topic. Ensure that you can access the necessary resources and information to support your research.
Evaluate the Significance and Impact : Assess the significance and potential impact of your chosen research topic. Think about how your findings and recommendations can contribute to improvements in healthcare practices, policies, or legal frameworks. A research paper with practical implications and real-world applications can make a more significant contribution to the field of health law.
Seek Inspiration from Case Studies and Legal Precedents : Case studies and legal precedents are valuable resources for inspiration and identifying research gaps in health law. Analyzing landmark cases and recent court decisions can shed light on emerging legal issues and ethical dilemmas in the healthcare sector.

By following these ten tips, you can navigate the process of choosing a health law research paper topic with confidence and purpose. Remember to select a topic that aligns with your interests, adheres to assignment requirements, and offers significant contributions to the field of health law. A well-chosen research topic will not only showcase your knowledge and analytical skills but also demonstrate your commitment to addressing legal challenges in the healthcare domain.

How to Write a Health Law Research Paper

Writing a health law research paper can be a rewarding and intellectually stimulating endeavor. However, it also requires careful planning, thorough research, and effective organization to produce a high-quality paper. In this section, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to write a compelling health law research paper that showcases your understanding of the subject matter and analytical skills.

Understand the Research Paper Requirements : Before delving into the writing process, review your course syllabus and assignment guidelines to understand the specific requirements for your health law research paper. Take note of the paper’s length, formatting style (APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, Harvard, etc.), and any specific research questions or topics provided by your instructor.
Conduct In-Depth Research : Effective research is the foundation of a successful health law research paper. Take the time to conduct comprehensive research on your chosen topic, exploring relevant legal statutes, court decisions, academic journals, and reputable sources. Utilize online databases, libraries, and academic search engines to access scholarly articles and primary legal sources.
Develop a Strong Thesis Statement : The thesis statement is the central argument or main point of your research paper. It should be clear, concise, and specific, outlining the focus and purpose of your paper. Your thesis statement will guide the rest of your writing and help maintain a cohesive and coherent structure.
Create an Outline : An outline serves as a roadmap for your health law research paper, helping you organize your ideas and arguments logically. Divide your paper into sections, such as introduction, literature review, methodology (if applicable), main body, analysis, and conclusion. Within each section, outline the key points and supporting evidence you will include.
Write an Engaging Introduction : The introduction is your opportunity to grab the reader’s attention and provide an overview of your research paper. Start with a hook or an interesting fact related to health law to pique the reader’s interest. Clearly state your thesis statement and outline the key points you will discuss in the paper.
Conduct a Thorough Literature Review : The literature review is a critical component of a health law research paper. It involves summarizing and analyzing existing research and scholarly work relevant to your topic. Identify gaps in the literature and discuss how your research paper will contribute to addressing these gaps.
Present Clear and Coherent Arguments : In the main body of your research paper, present your arguments and supporting evidence in a clear and coherent manner. Each paragraph should focus on a single idea and include relevant examples, case studies, or legal precedents to strengthen your points. Use transitional phrases to ensure a smooth flow between paragraphs.
Analyze Legal and Ethical Implications : Health law research often involves analyzing legal statutes and ethical considerations. Make sure to critically assess the implications of your research findings on healthcare policies, patient rights, and medical practices. Discuss the ethical dilemmas, if any, and propose potential solutions.
Utilize Proper Citations and References : Properly cite all the sources you have used in your research paper to avoid plagiarism and give credit to the original authors. Use the appropriate citation style specified in the assignment guidelines (APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, Harvard, etc.) and create a comprehensive list of references at the end of your paper.
Craft a Convincing Conclusion : In the conclusion, summarize the main points of your research paper and restate your thesis statement. Emphasize the significance of your findings and their potential impact on health law. Avoid introducing new information in the conclusion and instead leave the reader with a lasting impression of your research.
Revise and Edit Your Paper : After completing the first draft, take the time to revise and edit your health law research paper. Check for clarity, coherence, and consistency in your arguments. Eliminate any grammatical or spelling errors and ensure that your paper adheres to the required formatting style.
Seek Feedback : Before submitting your research paper, seek feedback from peers, professors, or academic advisors. Constructive feedback can help you identify areas for improvement and enhance the overall quality of your paper.

Writing a health law research paper requires dedication, critical thinking, and a thorough understanding of legal and ethical issues in healthcare. By following this step-by-step guide and staying organized throughout the process, you can produce a well-researched and persuasive paper that contributes meaningfully to the field of health law.

iResearchNet’s Custom Research Paper Writing Services

At iResearchNet, we understand the challenges and complexities students face when tasked with writing health law research papers. As a reputable academic writing company, we are dedicated to providing students with top-notch custom research paper writing services that cater specifically to the field of health law. Our team of expert writers, with their in-depth knowledge of health law and legal expertise, is committed to delivering high-quality research papers that meet your academic requirements and exceed your expectations.

Expert Degree-Holding Writers : When you choose iResearchNet, you gain access to a team of highly qualified writers with advanced degrees in law, specializing in health law. Our writers have extensive experience in conducting research, analyzing legal cases, and writing comprehensive research papers on a wide range of health law topics.
Custom Written Works : We believe in the uniqueness of every research paper. Our writers follow a custom writing approach, meaning that each paper is tailored to your specific requirements, ensuring originality and authenticity. You can rest assured that your health law research paper will be entirely free of plagiarism.
In-Depth Research : Our writers are well-versed in conducting thorough research to gather the most relevant and up-to-date information for your health law research paper. They have access to reputable academic databases, journals, and legal resources, enabling them to include credible sources in your paper.
Custom Formatting : Proper formatting is crucial for academic research papers. Our writers are proficient in various citation styles, including APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, and Harvard. They will ensure that your health law research paper adheres to the required formatting guidelines.
Top Quality : Quality is our utmost priority. We strive to deliver research papers that demonstrate comprehensive understanding, critical analysis, and well-supported arguments. Our team is dedicated to providing you with top-quality research papers that showcase your knowledge and research skills.
Customized Solutions : At iResearchNet, we recognize that each health law research paper topic is unique. Our writers are adept at tailoring their writing to meet your specific research objectives and address the nuances of your chosen topic.
Flexible Pricing : We understand that students often have budget constraints. Our pricing system is flexible and designed to accommodate your financial needs. We offer competitive rates for high-quality custom health law research papers.
Short Deadlines : If you have urgent deadlines, worry not. Our writers are capable of delivering high-quality health law research papers within short timeframes, with options for turnaround times as fast as 3 hours.
Timely Delivery : Punctuality is a cornerstone of our service. We value your time and ensure that your health law research paper is delivered on schedule, allowing you sufficient time to review and make any necessary changes before submission.
24/7 Support : Our customer support team is available round the clock to address any inquiries or concerns you may have. Whether you have questions about our services or need assistance with the ordering process, our support team is here to help.
Absolute Privacy : We understand the importance of confidentiality. Rest assured that your personal information and details of the research paper will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.
Easy Order Tracking : Once you place an order with iResearchNet, you can easily track its progress through our user-friendly platform. Stay informed about the status of your health law research paper at all times.
Money Back Guarantee : Customer satisfaction is our priority. In the rare event that you are not fully satisfied with the final research paper, we offer a money-back guarantee to ensure your peace of mind.

At iResearchNet, we are committed to providing you with custom health law research papers that reflect your expertise and dedication to the subject. Our team of expert writers is eager to assist you in navigating the complexities of health law and delivering a well-researched and compelling paper. Let us take the burden off your shoulders and empower your academic journey with our top-notch custom research paper writing services in health law.

Empower Your Health Law Research with iResearchNet

Are you ready to take your health law research to the next level? Look no further than iResearchNet! With our custom health law research paper writing services, you can empower your academic journey and excel in your studies. Whether you are struggling with selecting a research paper topic, conducting in-depth research, or crafting a well-structured paper, our team of expert writers is here to support you every step of the way.

At iResearchNet, we believe in the power of individualized solutions. Each health law research paper is meticulously crafted to meet your specific requirements and academic goals. Whether you need a research paper on medical malpractice, patient confidentiality, healthcare reform, or any other health law topic, our writers will deliver a unique and original paper that sets you apart from the rest.

Don’t let the complexities of health law research hold you back. Empower your academic journey with our custom health law research paper writing services at iResearchNet. Our team of expert writers is eager to assist you in achieving academic excellence and mastering the intricacies of health law. Place your order today and unlock the full potential of your health law research with iResearchNet!

ORDER HIGH QUALITY CUSTOM PAPER

Skip to main content
Skip to primary sidebar

IResearchNet

Mental Health Law Topics

Mental health law was first conceived as a separate field of law in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Before then, laws certainly existed on various topics later subsumed within mental health law. These included the law governing civil commitment, guardianship, the legal insanity defense, and incompetency to stand trial , among others. The common law had clarified some of the legal issues raised by mental illness, and there had been some statutory developments, but it was not until the U.S. Supreme Court began to constitutionalize the issues that these disparate strands of legal doctrine began to be thought of as a separate area of law. Read more about Mental Health Law .

Mental Health Law Research Topics

Americans with Disabilities Act
Capacity to Consent to Treatment
Civil Commitment
Consent to Clinical Research
End-of-Life Issues
Forcible Medication
Institutionalization and Deinstitutionalization
Involuntary Outpatient Commitment
Legal Guardianship
Mandated Community Treatment
Mental Health Courts
Patient’s Rights
Proxy Decision Making
Psychiatric Advance Directives
Substance Abuse Treatment
Therapeutic Jurisprudence

Modern courts often deal with a variety of psychosocial problems involving individuals in need of treatment and rehabilitation. Thus, problems of substance abuse, domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, juvenile delinquency, and family disintegration increasingly have come to the attention of the courts. The approach of therapeutic jurisprudence has helped to pioneer new judicial models for dealing with these issues, including specialized treatment or problem-solving courts such as drug treatment court, domestic violence court, mental health court, and unified family court. These new judicial models, inspired by and applying principles of therapeutic jurisprudence, represent an expansion of traditional mental health law to additional contexts in which the law seeks to improve the mental health and psychological functioning of the individual and the society.

Browse other Forensic Psychology Research Topics .

Frontiers in Psychology
Forensic and Legal Psychology
Research Topics

Crime, Mental Health, and the Law: A Psycho-Criminological Perspective

Total Downloads

Total Views and Downloads

About this Research Topic

Psychological criminology is regarded as the convergence of psychology and criminology, in which psychological criminology is concerned with the use of psychological knowledge to explain or describe, with the attempt to change, criminal behavior. This Research Topic focuses on the application of ...

Keywords : Forensic psychology, legal psychology, crime and delinquency, criminal behavior and the law, mental health and crime, forensic mental health, public health perspective of the crime, environmental conditions and crime, risk and protective factors of criminal behavior, crime prevention and intervention, offender rehabilitation, civil and criminal mental health law

Important Note : All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

Topic Editors

Topic coordinators, recent articles, submission deadlines.

Submission closed.

Participating Journals

Total views.

Demographics

No records found

total views article views downloads topic views

Top countries

Top referring sites, about frontiers research topics.

With their unique mixes of varied contributions from Original Research to Review Articles, Research Topics unify the most influential researchers, the latest key findings and historical advances in a hot research area! Find out more on how to host your own Frontiers Research Topic or contribute to one as an author.

Further Evidence on the Global Decline in the Mental Health of the Young

Prior to around 2011, there was a pronounced curvilinear relationship between age and wellbeing: poor mental health was hump-shaped with respect to age, whilst subjective well-being was U-shaped. We examine data from a European panel for France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Sweden called, Come-Here, for 2020-2023, plus data from International Social Survey Program (ISSP) surveys for 2011 and 2021 and some country-specific data. Mental ill-health now declines in a roughly monotonic fashion with age, whilst subjective well-being rises with age. We also show that young people with poorer mental health spend more time daily in front of a screen on the internet or their smartphone, and that within-person increases in poor mental health are correlated with spending more time in front of a screen. This evidence appears important because it is among the first pieces of research to use panel data on individuals to track the relationship between screen time and changes in mental health, and because the results caution against simply using the presence of the internet in the household, or low usage indicators (such as having used the internet in the last week) to capture the role played by screen time in the growth of mental ill-health.

We acknowledge funding from the United Nations The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Bureau of Economic Research.

MARC RIS BibTeΧ

Download Citation Data

More from NBER

In addition to working papers , the NBER disseminates affiliates’ latest findings through a range of free periodicals — the NBER Reporter , the NBER Digest , the Bulletin on Retirement and Disability , the Bulletin on Health , and the Bulletin on Entrepreneurship — as well as online conference reports , video lectures , and interviews .

15th Annual Feldstein Lecture, Mario Draghi, "The Next Flight of the Bumblebee: The Path to Common Fiscal Policy in the Eurozone cover slide

Transforming the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses.

Información en español

Celebrating 75 Years! Learn More >>

About the Director
Advisory Boards and Groups
Strategic Plan
Offices and Divisions
Careers at NIMH
Staff Directories
Getting to NIMH

Excellent to the “Core”: World Class Neuroimaging at NIMH

Peter Bandettini, Ph.D., Chief of the Section on Functional Imaging Methods and Director of the Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Core Facility, on behalf of the NIMH Intramural Research Program

May 15, 2024 • 75th Anniversary

Follow the NIMH Director on

For 75 years, NIMH has transformed the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses through basic and clinical research—bringing hope to millions of people. This Director’s Message, guest-written by NIMH’s Intramural Research Program , is part of an anniversary series celebrating this momentous milestone.

Our sensations, thoughts, and emotions are grounded in internal physical processes that are difficult to see and measure, much less understand. For well over a century, the links between what is happening in our brains and how we experience the world have started to emerge as brilliant innovations that allow more insightful questions.

As far back as the late 1800s, links between brain lesion locations and specific functional deficits were starting to be identified. Other means for measuring physiologic changes with brain activity were also being developed, ranging from precise balances that detected subtle increases in blood volume in the brain associated with increased mental activity to scientifically rigorous detection in animal models of blood volume changes, showing signal changes that were stunningly like functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) signals now commonly seen 100 years later.

In the past 50 years, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)'s Division of Intramural Research Programs (IRP) has been a world leader in developing and implementing advanced brain imaging technology. The division has fostered world-class facilities and seminal scientific advances that have allowed us to delve into the complex circuitry of the human brain. We’ve started shedding light on mechanisms and principles of brain function and are uncovering disease signatures and potential inroads for treatment.

Early innovations in brain imaging

A powerful imaging approach known as positron emission tomography (PET) is used today in research and clinical practice to create a map of metabolic processes or neurotransmitter activity in the brain. This technology was pioneered in the 1970s by NIMH IRP researcher Louis Sokoloff, M.D., Ph.D. He developed a method by which a radioactive tracer accumulated in specific brain regions in proportion to more active areas. He collaborated with computer scientists at NIMH to create a computer program that could measure this radioactivity and translate it into color-coded images representing brain activity. By the end of the 1970s, this technology had been adapted for use with humans, and PET scanners became available for use in medical and research settings.

The tools developed by Dr. Sokoloff have been refined over the years and are still in use today. For example, NIMH researcher Robert Innis, M.D., Ph.D., in collaboration with radiochemist Victor Pike, Ph.D., and colleagues are using a state-of-the-art PET facility at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop a new way to deliver radioactive markers to brain cells, improving the mapping of neuroinflammation in the brain. This advance will allow researchers to better understand the role of neuroinflammation in a range of brain-based disorders from depression to Alzheimer’s disease.

The birth of core facilities at NIMH

Since the 1980s, NIH has been at the forefront of developing and nurturing resources to push the boundaries of brain science. Neuroimaging instrumentation can be expensive, and true expertise is rare. Having dedicated, shared groups, or “core facilities,” that develop sophisticated methods and collaborate with other scientists has proven to be an effective way to incubate breakthrough experiments and produce key findings.

An early shared resource, the NIH-wide Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Center, was created in 1987. It was here that seminal early work pioneering MRI was performed. Robert Turner, Ph.D., helped pioneer blood-oxygen-level-dependent contrast used in the most common noninvasive brain imaging methods today. Peter Basser, Ph.D., along with Denis Le Bihan, M.D., Ph.D., invented diffusion tensor imaging , which was fundamental to the creation of the spectacular fiber track images used today to reveal the connectivity in the human brain.

Decades of discovery, collaboration, and growth

Examples of the many types of structural, physiological, and functional contrast available from MRI. Courtesy of NIMH.

The NIMH IRP has led the way in creating and supporting core facilities, helping push the boundaries of neuroscience research.

One example is the proliferation of fMRI within NIH. The discovery of fMRI in the early 1990s revolutionized brain imaging and neuroscience. NIMH and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) initiated an MRI facility to advance this exciting technology and to accommodate adventurous neuroscience research groups wanting to perform MRI and fMRI—peering into the living human brain not only to understand its structural details but now, thanks to fMRI, to observe functional activation with unprecedented speed, resolution, and fidelity. In 1999, Peter Bandettini, Ph.D., was recruited by NIMH to direct the new Functional MRI Facility (FMRIF) and lead his own research group in developing fMRI methodology, interpretation, and applications.

An image showing activation on the somatosensory cortex associated with the movement of different fingers. Activation caused by this movement in layer IV of the cortex (shown by the blue line in the graph) and the rest of the cortex (shown by the red line in the graph) is related to the brain making sense of these signals. Credit: Yu et al., 2016, Science Advances. © The Authors, some rights reserved; exclusive licensee AAAS. Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial License 4.0 (CC BY-

Over the years, the FMRIF has developed and adopted the latest capabilities and services for a rapidly growing number of investigators who want to use fMRI or MRI in their brain research. For example, the image to the right shows exquisite resolution fMRI of detailed cortical circuitry activation with individual finger activation. Not only is fMRI able to delineate the somatosensory activation with each finger, but it can show, from the peaks in the graphs, that the activation is in layer IV in the somatosensory cortex, which has only been known from research with animals to be selectively active with stimulation.

Two cortical layers show brain activation when tapping a finger (image on the left), but only one cortical layer is activated when imagining tapping a finger (image on the right). This comparison helps reveal the precise area in the brain where the finger movement signal originates and where mental imagery activates the motor cortex. Courtesy of NIMH.

In another example, the image to the left shows two cortical layers becoming active for finger tapping and only one layer active for imagining of finger tapping. This higher resolution has tremendous potential to allow the creation of more detailed and informative maps of brain function—delving ever more into the complex circuitry and potentially revealing subtle differences associated with disorders.

Additional NIMH core facilities that develop and disseminate the latest neuroimaging technology to IRP scientists have rapidly emerged following the establishment of the fMRI core facility.

In 2000, NIMH created a Neurophysiology Imaging Facility for nonhuman primate imaging, led by David Leopold, Ph.D.
In 2001, Robert Cox, Ph.D., established the Scientific and Statistical Computing Core to help develop and maintain a brain imaging software platform called Analysis of Functional NeuroImages (AFNI), widely used by researchers to analyze MRI and fMRI data. The core is now led by Paul Taylor, Ph.D.
Also in 2001, the Magnetoencephalography Core Facility was created to focus on research using magnetoencephalography and electroencephalography. This core facility was initially led by Rich Coppola, DSc., and is now led by Allison Nugent, Ph.D. Dr. Coppola was also instrumental in working with Dr. Sokoloff in the early days, converting his metabolism maps to color images.
In 2002, the Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Core Facility , led by Jun Shen, Ph.D., was added to provide support for researchers using magnetic resonance spectroscopy, a method for identifying specific metabolite concentrations in the brain.
In 2016, the Machine Learning Team , led by Francisco Pereira, Ph.D., and the Data Science and Sharing Team , led by Adam Thomas, Ph.D., began helping IRP investigators analyze and share their data more broadly.
Research groups focusing on imaging methods, including the Noninvasive Neuromodulation Unit headed by Sarah Hollingsworth “Holly” Lisanby, M.D., and the Section on PET Neuroimaging Sciences led by Robert Innis, Ph.D., round out the NIMH’s vast neuroimaging resources. Neuromodulation is a method by which the brain is stimulated with high spatial and temporal accuracy—either for treatment or research.
In 2016, a Center for Multimodal Neuroimaging was created to link all the imaging-related cores together. This center serves as a nexus where the neuroimaging groups can come together to find points of fruitful intersection.

NIMH core facilities today

An image displaying the acronyms for NIMH core facilities. Courtesy of NIMH.

Today, the brain imaging core facilities remain at the forefront of science, helping NIH researchers undertake cutting-edge work. For example, the fMRI core facility has five MRI scanners, which are managed by five physicist staff scientists and used by more than 30 principal investigators performing both clinical and basic human neuroimaging research. Such a concentration of scanning technology and expertise cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Of note are the two 7T scanners in the core facility. These are the most powerful scanners approved for human use; only about 120 are available worldwide. Such powerful scanners enable NIH researchers to address entirely new questions about human functional brain organization, connectivity, and hierarchy and measure subtle differences and similarities between individuals.

Embraced by NIMH, the concept of core facilities and teams marked a paradigm shift for the institute. Cores scale with demand and foster expertise and strong collaborations with and between principal investigators. The resulting science and productivity demonstrate their success. Since 2000, NIH IRP investigators published more than 1,000 papers using the fMRI core facility. NIH and NIMH IRP investigators have just begun exploring the possible questions that may be asked using this unprecedented collection of world-leading tools.

NIMH has some of the most sophisticated tools for peering into the human brain. It is also home to world-class scientists, engineers, programmers, and clinicians who develop and wield these powerful instruments. The goal is to bridge that elusive connection between our physical brains and our sensations, thoughts, and emotions. The ultimate goal is that, with a deep and precise understanding of these connections, we can make more rapid headway toward improving mental health.

Book a Speaker

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vivamus convallis sem tellus, vitae egestas felis vestibule ut.

Error message details.

Reuse Permissions

Request permission to republish or redistribute SHRM content and materials.

Are Organizations All Talk and No Walk When It Comes to Mental Health Benefits?

Despite increased awareness and progressive policies like mental health days and access to counseling services, the stigma associated with experiencing mental health issues remains. Toxic workplaces can prevent employees from speaking up about their struggles or seeking help.

There also appears to be a gap between the mental health resources companies offer and the level of comfort employees feel in using these benefits. Employees often face obstacles preventing them from using the available resources, such as feelings of uncertainty, difficulty getting time off, and an overall lack of awareness of what’s offered.

Recent data from SHRM reveals that more than half of workers (55%) said their organization offers too few resources to support their mental health. This disconnect makes it difficult for organizations to support their workforce and communicates to individuals that their needs aren’t being taken seriously.

Address the Source of Distress

Mental health programs only serve as a bandage if the cause of employees’ distress is issues within their workplace.

“If [employers] have programs, but it’s a toxic workplace and employees work 80 hours a week for an irate, intense, disrespectful boss, that’s a bigger issue,” said Vicki Salemi, career expert for Monster. “The resources and systems in place are only effective when there’s a healthy work environment as a backbone—a strong, positive, solid foundation to support it.”

Leaders have an opportunity and responsibility to open up lines of communication and practice empathy by seeing the workplace from their employees’ point of view. Are they being bullied? Are managers overly demanding?

“Hosting routine trainings with leaders about mental health helps normalize and prioritize mental health in the workplace,” said Tanner Bergman, manager of well-being at Paycom. “After all, connecting with each other through empathy and listening is free.”

The Role That Culture Plays

According to SHRM’s data, 50 percent of workers do not feel comfortable using or asking for the mental health resources their organization provides.

If senior leaders and managers do not actively use or endorse these mental health programs, employees may view them as formalities rather than genuine support mechanisms. All talk and no walk, so to speak.

Similarly, a culture that prioritizes productivity over well-being can discourage employees from taking time off for mental health reasons. Individuals might feel guilty for taking a mental health day, worrying about the workload piling up in their inbox that they’ll have to make up for when they return.

Admitting to being a toxic workplace is tough for any organization. But instead of being ashamed by it, act on your awareness of the problem.

2 Key Questions Organizations Can Ask to Directly Address Toxicity

To address the fear that employees have of voicing their concerns, Salemi recommended collecting anonymous insights on internal factors that drive and sustain the toxic culture, then getting down to specifics.

Organizations should consider two key questions:

1. If a workplace is toxic, what specific aspects and leaders contribute to its toxicity?

2. What benefits programs, resources, and support can help your employees’ mental health after the toxic culture and leaders are rectified?

This gives employees an opportunity to be part of the solution by sharing their issues honestly without the stress of retaliation.

Expert Insights on the Top Benefits for Employee Mental Health

For those workplaces that are not suffering from toxicity, SHRM’s research shares additional insights, highlighting that 43 percent of workers would prefer more paid time off. More mental health days and flexible schedules also rank high.

However, organizations that implement these programs won’t know if they are effective unless employees use them. How can employers make sure workers are taking advantage of programs to support mental wellness?

“Employers and managers should ensure their policies are fair and encourage employees to use the time given to them, which may mean setting the example themselves,” Bergman said. “For complicated schedules or verifying business needs are met, managers can also automate the time-off approval process with great HR tech, replacing unnecessary barriers for employees with a simplified process.”

Richard Chaifetz, founder and CEO of ComPsych, said mental health is only one part of the wellness puzzle.

“In order to fully support and acknowledge employee mental health and well-being issues, organizations need to [also] support every aspect of their lives—financial, legal, caregiving, and everything in between. Just as important, organizational resiliency services such as training and critical incident support are essential to give managers and employees tools to overcome both day-to-day challenges as well as the needs of workers in the event of a traumatic incident.”

Organizations can offer meaningful support for employees’ mental health concerns by examining their work cultures for toxicity and eradicating it. Leaders who model measures to care for their own mental health will show employees that such behavior is not only accepted but also expected.

A 4-Day Workweek? AI-Fueled Efficiencies Could Make It Happen

The proliferation of artificial intelligence in the workplace, and the ensuing expected increase in productivity and efficiency, could help usher in the four-day workweek, some experts predict.

How One Company Uses Digital Tools to Boost Employee Well-Being

Learn how Marsh McLennan successfully boosts staff well-being with digital tools, improving productivity and work satisfaction for more than 20,000 employees.

Artificial Intelligence in the Workplace

An organization run by AI is not a futuristic concept. Such technology is already a part of many workplaces and will continue to shape the labor market and HR. Here's how employers and employees can successfully manage generative AI and other AI-powered systems.

HR Daily Newsletter

New, trends and analysis, as well as breaking news alerts, to help HR professionals do their jobs better each business day.

Success title

Success caption

Reynolds signs 'transformative' behavioral health overhaul into Iowa law. What it does:

CEDAR RAPIDS — Surrounded by health advocates, Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law Wednesday her plan to restructure behavioral health care and disability services in Iowa.

On Wednesday, Iowa's Republican governor visited Foundation 2 , a crisis mental health provider that opened its new headquarters in downtown Cedar Rapids last month, to sign House File 2673 into law.

The bill, one of Reynolds' top legislative priorities this year, aims to improve access to services for Iowans by breaking down administrative boundaries between mental health and substance use treatment in the state.

The new law also addresses disability services in Iowa, which is overseen by the local mental health regions and lacks "clear access points for Iowans with disabilities," Reynolds said. Instead, management of disability services will be shifted to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.

"By bringing services together in this way we will enable better coordination of care supporting the best possible outcomes for each individual," Reynolds said. "It's what every Iowan deserves, and that's what we intend to deliver."

Prep for the polls: See who is running for president and compare where they stand on key issues in our Voter Guide

Several behavioral health advocates and providers used the term "cautious optimism" to describe their outlook as the consolidation of mental health and substance use services begins, a step they believed was long overdue. Still, they worry about patients' wellbeing during the transition.

"Iowa Behavioral Health Association remains cautiously optimistic as anytime a system undergoes a massive overhaul of changes, we worry most about the people we are serving, our employees and the overall need to maintain the continuity of care to our clients," Executive Director Flora Schmidt said in a statement.

New law consolidates mental health, substance use disorder services.

Now that the bill has been signed into law, the clock is ticking for top officials at Iowa's human services agency to build up a new behavioral health system that's set to go online on July 1, 2025.

"For the first time, we will have an intentionally planned system that includes in statute, prevention, treatment and recovery. It's phenomenal," Iowa HHS Director Kelly Garcia said during Wednesday's press conference.

The law eliminates the state's 13 Mental Health and Disability Service regions and 19 Integrated Provider Networks that manage substance use disorder and problem gambling services.

Reynolds described the state's current system as "disconnected," even though more than one in four adult Iowans with serious mental health challenges also struggle with substance use.

In its place, the law establishes a new new Behavioral Health Service System comprised of seven districts to manage services for those with mental health conditions and substance use disorders. These districts would be charged with coordinating an array of services, including prevention services, early intervention and treatment, support services designed to avoid the need for acute care or law enforcement, and crisis services focused on de-escalation.

Funding for those services would also be merged into one behavioral health fund overseen by Iowa HHS.

Iowa HHS would also oversee the effort to hire an "administrative services organization," which can be a public entity or private nonprofit group, to manage each of the seven districts and its service array. That organization would be advised by a 10-person council of elected officials, local constituents, health professionals and law enforcement.

Iowa HHS Behavioral Health and Disability Services Director Marissa Eyanson told a state board Tuesday that an initial transition plan for the new system will be published on the agency's website by July 1.

The state will also finalize the map for the seven behavioral health districts by Aug. 1, and will select the entities to serve as administrative services organizations for each of the seven districts by Dec. 31, Eyanson told members of the Children's Behavioral Health System State Board.

Law shifts management of disability services to state agency

Disability services, which are folded into the state's 13 mental health regions, will be instead shifted into the state’s Aging and Disability Services division under Iowa HHS.

The agency plans to establish a system of aging and disability resource centers across the state, which would oversee long-term living or community support services for Iowans with disabilities. That includes those with chronic mental illness, intellectual disability, developmental disability or a brain injury.

Funding for disability services also will be separated from mental health services under the new law for the first time ever, Garcia told reporters after Wednesday's press conference. That shift will allow the agency to strengthen services for Iowans with disabilities, while still providing a clear connection with behavioral health services, she said.

"So this will not be disconnected. It will just be a reestablishment on equal footing," Garcia said.

Behavioral health providers share equal parts optimism, wariness of new systems

Some providers have applauded Reynolds' plan, saying it removes historic barriers separating mental health and substance use programs in the state.

"We believe this is a step in the right direction to ensure that every Iowan has access to comprehensive mental health and substance use support," said Emily Bloome, CEO of Foundation 2, during the press conference. "This legislation is an opportunity to make meaningful changes in the system, which translates to meaningful changes in the lives of Iowans."

Leslie Carpenter, co-founder of the advocacy group Iowa Mental Health Advocacy, said she believes integrating these systems could be “transformative" for Iowans.

Carpenter said she saw that separation between mental health and substance use services firsthand with her son, who was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder in 2013. Carpenter declined to name her son publicly.

He received rehabilitation care for a substance use disorder several times starting as a teenager, but Carpenter said those facilities often failed to provide care for his serious mental health condition. In fact, she said they often provided education to families that was not helpful for individuals with co-existing diagnoses.

"In our opinion, looking back on it with what we know now, we feel like it increased some harm to our son early on in getting care from people who only understood one side of it," she said.

But even as top officials begin the effort to establish and implement the new behavioral health system, many details on the day-to-day functionality of the system still aren't known, as well as the anticipated impact on providers and patients.

While the bill garnered support of major groups like NAMI Iowa and the Iowa Hospital Association during the legislative session, many groups were registered undecided on the bill. Some behavioral health providers and other advocates said they still have lingering questions on the transition.

Schmidt, of the Iowa Behavioral Health Association, said members of her organization have concerns about the proposed one-year timeline to establish the system, adding that the one-year turnaround may be too fast to seamlessly integrate legacy programs and services into the new structure.

"We also want to make sure this is truly an integrated behavioral health system for not only mental health, but that also meets the unique needs of those with substance use disorders, including assurances there is adequate funding for existing programs as well as the specialized programs for women, children, and adolescents, as well as residential treatment and prevention services," she said.

Michaela Ramm covers health care for the Des Moines Register. She can be reached at [email protected] , at (319) 339-7354 or on Twitter at @Michaela_Ramm .

Freeing the Well-Being: Mental Health Accommodations in the Workplace

Does it seem like you are dealing with more mental health issues in your workforce? If so, you are not alone. Recent mental health claim statistics show an alarming increase in chronic illnesses since the pandemic. For adults between the ages of 35 and 44, mental illness diagnoses have increased from 48% in 2019 to 58% in 2023, according to the American Psychological Association . In its most recent Strategic Enforcement Plan , the EEOC listed “workers with mental health related disabilities” as one of the categories of vulnerable workers on which they will focus their efforts to prevent harassment, retaliation and discrimination. With these types of issues on a dramatic rise, it is worth a reminder about an employer’s obligations under the ADA for mental health issues.

What Does the ADA Require?

As we know, the ADA requires employers to provide “reasonable accommodations” to a qualified employee with a disability. For a condition to meet the definition of a disability under the statute, it must be a mental impairment that substantially affects one or more major life activities. The EEOC has specifically held that conditions such as major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia meet that definition. However, other problems such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression may also fit into that category.

If an employee comes to HR with a mental health issue and requests a disability, that triggers the interactive process. The ADA requires the employer to provide reasonable accommodation that would allow an employee with a disability to perform the essential functions of a job, and employers and employees must discuss options that could fit the bill. Common accommodations to address mental health issues are extended leave, scheduling changes, and additional breaks. You need to listen to the employee and the employee’s healthcare provider. Always remember that this is an interactive process, so it may take several steps. Be patient and creative.

Are There Other Strategies?

Beyond ADA obligations, employers should also consider proactively engaging with their workforce on well-being. Programs that focus on stress management, nutrition, and exercise may help reduce future claims for anxiety and depression. Encouraging open dialogue among employees and management about the health status of the workforce would also be helpful. Employees who feel supported and who have receptive supervisors may be less likely to have a sudden need for an ADA accommodation. They are also less likely to file an EEOC charge.

Latest Posts

Impact of Revised FHA Handbook on Reverse Mortgage Servicers
I Need to Sue My Longtime Business Partner(s): What Pitfalls Should I Consider Before Filing Suit
FHA Announces New Guidelines Allowing Borrowers to Challenge Appraisals
Signature Lines Matter: When a Contract Amendment Is Not Really an Amendment

DISCLAIMER: Because of the generality of this update, the information provided herein may not be applicable in all situations and should not be acted upon without specific legal advice based on particular situations.

Refine your interests »

Written by:

PUBLISH YOUR CONTENT ON JD SUPRA NOW

Increased visibility
Actionable analytics
Ongoing guidance

Published In:

Bradley arant boult cummings llp on:.

"My best business intelligence, in one easy email…"

Alzheimer's disease & dementia
Arthritis & Rheumatism
Attention deficit disorders
Autism spectrum disorders
Biomedical technology
Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Gastroenterology
Gerontology & Geriatrics
Health informatics
Inflammatory disorders
Medical economics
Medical research
Medications
Neuroscience
Obstetrics & gynaecology
Oncology & Cancer
Ophthalmology
Overweight & Obesity
Parkinson's & Movement disorders
Psychology & Psychiatry
Radiology & Imaging
Sleep disorders
Sports medicine & Kinesiology
Vaccination
Breast cancer
Cardiovascular disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Colon cancer
Coronary artery disease
Heart attack
Heart disease
High blood pressure
Kidney disease
Lung cancer
Multiple sclerosis
Myocardial infarction
Ovarian cancer
Post traumatic stress disorder
Rheumatoid arthritis
Schizophrenia
Skin cancer
Type 2 diabetes
Full List »

share this!

May 28, 2024

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

fact-checked

peer-reviewed publication

trusted source

Prenatal exposure to air pollution associated with increased mental health risks

by University of Bristol

A baby's exposure to air pollution while in the womb is associated with the development of certain mental health problems once the infant reaches adolescence, new research has found. The University of Bristol-led study, published in JAMA Network Open on May 28, examined the long-term mental health impact of early-life exposure to air and noise pollution.

Growing evidence suggests air pollution , which comprises toxic gases and particulate matter , might contribute to the onset of mental health problems. It is thought that pollution could negatively affect mental health via numerous pathways, including by compromising the blood-brain barrier , promoting neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, and directly entering the brain and damaging tissue.

Despite youth being a key period for the onset of these problems, until now, relatively few studies have investigated the associations of air and noise exposure during early life with mental health.

In this new study, researchers sought to examine the long-term impact of air and noise pollution exposure during pregnancy, early childhood and adolescence on three common mental health problems: psychotic experiences (including hallucinations, such as hearing or seeing things that others cannot, and delusions, such as having very paranoid thoughts), depression and anxiety.

To investigate this, the team used data from more than 9,000 participants from Bristol's Children of the 90s birth cohort study (also known as the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children), which recruited more than 14,000 pregnant women from the Bristol area between 1991 and 1992, and has followed the lives of the women, the children and their partners ever since.

By linking participants' early childhood data with their mental health reports at the ages of 13, 18 and 24 years, researchers were able to use this to map against outdoor air and noise pollution in South West England at different time points.

Researchers found that relatively small increases in fine particulate matter during pregnancy and childhood were associated with more psychotic experiences and depression symptoms many years later in teenage years and early adulthood. These associations persisted after considering many related risk factors, such as family psychiatric history, socioeconomic status , and other area-level factors such as population density, deprivation, greenspace and social fragmentation.

The team found that every 0.72 micrograms per cubic meter increase in fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) during pregnancy and childhood was associated with an 11% increased odds and 9% increased odds for psychotic experiences, respectively; while exposure in pregnancy was associated with a 10% increased odds for depression. In contrast, higher noise pollution exposure in childhood and teenage years was subsequently associated with more anxiety symptoms.

Dr. Joanne Newbury, Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the University's Bristol Medical School: Population Health Sciences (PHS) and the study's lead author, said, "Childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood are critical periods for the development of psychiatric disorders: worldwide, nearly two-thirds of those affected become unwell by the age of 25.

"Our findings add to a growing body of evidence—from different populations, locations, and using different study designs—suggesting a detrimental impact of air pollution (and potentially noise pollution) on mental health.

"This is a major concern, because air pollution is now such a common exposure, and rates of mental health problems are increasing globally. Given that pollution is also a preventable exposure, interventions to reduce exposure, such as low emissions zones, could potentially improve mental health. Targeted interventions for vulnerable groups including pregnant women and children could also provide an opportunity for more rapid reductions in exposure.

"It is important to emphasize that these findings, by themselves, do not prove a causal association. However, other recent studies have shown that low emissions zones appear to have a positive impact on mental health ."

Explore further

Feedback to editors

Tobacco firms invest billions in medical products: Call for journals to ban research by the firms, their subsidiaries

9 hours ago

New avenues to developing personalized treatments for schizophrenia

10 hours ago

Study: Access to targeted lung cancer drug is cost-prohibitive globally

Researchers identify factors that heighten risk for catheter-associated urinary tract infections and sepsis

'Sticky and strain-gradient artificial epineurium' can heal severed nerves in only one minute, study claims

11 hours ago

Could ultra-processed foods be associated with your insomnia?

Tiny worm helps uncover long-lasting prenatal effects from amphetamines

PTSD, anxiety is rising among college students

Study confirms effectiveness of 'watch-and-wait' approach to prostate cancer

12 hours ago

Cause of common type of heart failure may be different for women and men

Air pollution linked to postpartum depression in large Southern California cohort

Oct 25, 2023

Exposure to air pollution during the first two years of life is associated with worse attention capacity in children

Apr 17, 2024

Air pollution linked to increased risk for childhood asthma

Mar 5, 2024

New research identifies air pollution's role in childhood cancers—and how greenness might help mitigate it

Feb 21, 2024

High levels of maternal stress during pregnancy linked to children's behavior problems

Nov 16, 2023

Exposure to high humidity and temperature in pregnancy could influence blood pressure changes in childhood

Jan 10, 2024

Recommended for you

Microfluidic organ chip models human cervix to fill key women's health gap

How does the word 'not' affect what we understand? Scientists find negation mitigates our interpretation of phrases

14 hours ago

Study finds suicide rates among cancer patients are falling

16 hours ago

Study shows phone use boosts mood of teenagers

17 hours ago

Let us know if there is a problem with our content

Use this form if you have come across a typo, inaccuracy or would like to send an edit request for the content on this page. For general inquiries, please use our contact form . For general feedback, use the public comments section below (please adhere to guidelines ).

Please select the most appropriate category to facilitate processing of your request

Thank you for taking time to provide your feedback to the editors.

Your feedback is important to us. However, we do not guarantee individual replies due to the high volume of messages.

E-mail the story

Your email address is used only to let the recipient know who sent the email. Neither your address nor the recipient's address will be used for any other purpose. The information you enter will appear in your e-mail message and is not retained by Medical Xpress in any form.

Newsletter sign up

Get weekly and/or daily updates delivered to your inbox. You can unsubscribe at any time and we'll never share your details to third parties.

More information Privacy policy

Donate and enjoy an ad-free experience

We keep our content available to everyone. Consider supporting Science X's mission by getting a premium account.

E-mail newsletter

What You Need to Know About Marijuana Rescheduling

by Victoria Litman, M.Div., J.D., LL.M.

On May 21, 2024, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) signed by Attorney General Merrick Garland in the Federal Register. This publication kicks off a 62-day comment period on a rule that would move marijuana to Schedule 3 of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), classifying it as a substance with “a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence.” The process of rescheduling may be long and is unlikely to create a pathway to federal compliance for state-legal marijuana businesses without further federal legislation. Ultimately, Congress likely will need to clarify the division of federal and state regulatory powers over cannabis.

The CSA is a federal law that classifies substances into schedules based on their potential for medical use and risk of abuse. The cannabis plant has been in the most restrictive category, Schedule 1, since the CSA was enacted in 1970. In the 2018 Farm Bill , cannabis plants with less than .3% concentration of the major psychoactive component of marijuana, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), were removed from the CSA and legally defined as hemp. All other cannabis remains Schedule 1 , defined as a substance with no currently accepted medical use (CAMU), lack of safety for use under medical supervision, and a high potential for abuse.

Despite ongoing cannabis restrictions on the federal level, since 1996 many states have enacted legislation regulating and taxing medical and recreational marijuana and creating dispensaries for patients and consumers to access it. For several decades, these state-regulated businesses have existed under the shadow of federal illegality. Marijuana’s Schedule 1 status has impacted the economic feasibility of these businesses due to punitive federal taxes , significant burdens on banks willing to work with cannabis businesses, and no legal interstate commerce.

Since 2014, Congress has passed spending amendments that limit the use of federal funds for enforcement against state-compliant medical marijuana programs. From 2009-2018, several U.S. Attorneys General issued memos directing federal prosecutors to limit enforcement against all state-compliant marijuana businesses, medical and recreational. In 2018 Attorney General Jeff Sessions technically rescinded prior memos and encouraged prosecution of federally illegal marijuana activity; however, in practice there has been limited federal enforcement.

In the fall of 2022, President Biden issued a statement on marijuana reform, announcing federal pardons for some federal crimes involving marijuana and urging state governors to pardon state-level cannabis possession charges. Biden also asked the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Attorney General to initiate the administrative process to review the scheduling of cannabis under the CSA.

In August 2023, HHS sent an official recommendation to the DEA that it categorize marijuana under the less restrictive Schedule 3 category. The recommendation became public in early 2024 as a result of a lawsuit . Notably, the recommendation was the first statement from a federal government agency that marijuana has a currently accepted medical use and a low potential for abuse. An April 11, 2024 opinion from the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) asserted that DEA must “accord significant deference” to HHS’ recommendation until the beginning of formal rulemaking. However, the NPRM notes that DEA has not decided how marijuana should be scheduled.

Now that the NPRM has been published, individuals and businesses may submit comments on the proposal until July 22nd. Interested persons (defined in regulations ) may request an administrative law hearing before June 20th in accordance with the requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act.

Once comments are received and after any hearing, the DEA will review all evidence and generally respond to comments when publishing the final rule. There is no set statutory time for this process but in other situations, for example telemedicine , it has taken over a year.

Once published, the DEA’s final rule will not go into effect for 30 days, during which time aggrieved parties who submitted comments and can demonstrate they have standing can challenge the final rule in court. At least one major opposition group is already fundraising for the legal effort.

The two main issues likely to be challenged are the impact of rescheduling on adherence to United Nations treaty obligations and the way HHS determined that marijuana has a CAMU. For the first time, HHS considered the existing widespread use of medical marijuana under the supervision of health care practitioners within state medical marijuana programs. The OLC’s opinion addresses these issues directly.

A letter from Democratic senators opposing rescheduling and supporting removal of marijuana from the CSA entirely explains that although rescheduling likely provides tax relief, it does not impact criminal justice and immigration issues related to cannabis criminalization. Rescheduling would not be a panacea for the challenges faced by state legal marijuana businesses and would not necessarily make marijuana easier to research .

Schedule 3 drugs must be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA,) prescribed by a doctor, and distributed by a pharmacy. Thus, none of the existing state-regulated marijuana dispensaries would be able to comply without extreme cost or further regulation or legislation. Another Attorney General’s memo is expected to clarify enforcement priorities against marijuana-related businesses that are legal in the state, but federally non-compliant.

I have previously written that no matter what happens with rescheduling, Congress will need to clarify the division of federal and state regulatory powers over cannabis. Congress must specify that FDA’s jurisdiction over cannabis should be no more than that over alcohol and designate cannabis in food as “generally recognized as safe.” These, and other FDA-related fixes, already drafted as part of proposed legislation, the States Reform Act , would create legal pathways for existing state-licensed marijuana operators to be in compliance with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act . By doing so, Congress could reduce unnecessary spending on unfeasible federal enforcement and preserve limited federal resources to evaluate clinical research on cannabis-derived drugs . Thus, even if marijuana is moved to Schedule 3, federal legislation is necessary. The only question is how long it will take Congress to act.

Victoria Litman M.Div, J.D., LL.M. is a nonprofit tax lawyer focused on the emerging cannabis and psychedelic tax exempt sectors and an adjunct law professor. She is also an Affiliated Researcher of the Project on Psychedelics Law and Regulation (POPLAR) at the Petrie-Flom Center for Health Law Policy, Biotechnology, and Bioethics at Harvard Law School.

The Petrie-Flom Center Staff

The Petrie-Flom Center staff often posts updates, announcements, and guests posts on behalf of others.

Sign up for our newsletter

IMAGES

230 Mental Health Research Topics For Academic Writing
DHSC, 'Changing the law on mental health' (dated August 2022, published
Research Topics for PhD in Law
(PDF) Detailed operational regulations are needed to implement the
Issues in Mental Health: OCR A Level Psychology
Mental Health Research Topics for Students in 2022

VIDEO

Take part in mental health research
Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders
Did Texas Law Banning Cell Phones in School Zones Save Money?
Session 24: Overcoming Barriers of Intersectional Identities: LGBTQ Community in Higher Education
Recent Changes in Illinois Mental Health Law
Stress, Addiction and Mental Health: An Ethical Perspective

COMMENTS

Health Law Research Guide: Suggested Topics in Health Law
A gateway to online resources, including federal, state, and international health law, health law topics, legal and medical journals and newsletters, legal and medical agencies and organizations, and relevant discussion groups. Sampling of key topics in health law. Link to the Pace Library Catalog.
Hot Topics: Mental Health Issues: Law and Legislation
Crime, Punishment, and Mental Illness by Patricia Erickson; Steven Erickson. Call Number: Library Third Floor Stacks RA1151 .E72 2008. ISBN: 9780813543383. Publication Date: 2008. Description: The social construction of mental illness as a criminal justice problem -- Systems of social control : from asylums to prisons -- Competency to stand ...
Behavioral Sciences & the Law
Behavioral Sciences & the Law is a peer-reviewed journal providing current and comprehensive global information on topics at the interface of the law and the behavioral sciences. We balance theoretical, mental health, legal, and research writings to provide a broad perspective on pertinent psycho-legal topics.
Law and Human Behavior
This special issue presents the most up-to-date research highlighting the application of digital technology to the fields of mental health, law, and justice. Police-Induced Confessions : A Scientific Review Paper and Commentaries of the American Psychology-Law Society (AP-LS), APA Division 41, originally published in Law and Human Behavior ...
Home
Guide to researching health law, including topics such as: administration, bioethics, medicare/medicaid, mental health, pandemic response, policy, and public health. ... This guide provides an overview of health law research strategies. It will highlight some of the key secondary and primary resources in these areas. ... Mental Health Practice ...
Mental Wellbeing in the Legal Profession: A Global Study
The IBA Legal Policy & Research Unit (LPRU) undertakes research and develops initiatives that are relevant to the rule of law, the legal profession and ... The term 'mental health' is often used interchangeably with the term 'mental wellbeing'. In fact, the term 'wellbeing' can have a range of different meanings. However, when ...
Mental Health and Law
Mental health and law intersect in a multitude of ways. The two disciplines ought to constantly inform and transform one another. For example, changes in the understanding of the etiology, clinical manifestation, treatment modalities, and rehabilitation of mental disorders necessitate changes in the way law views issues related to mental health
Mental Health and the Legal Profession
The Fordham Law Review's Symposium collection on Mental Health and the Legal Profession is dedicated to the memory of Professor Deborah L. Rhode. ... Health and the Legal Profession (June 28, 2021). 89 Fordham L. Rev. 2415-25 (2021) (Foreward and Dedication), Fordham Law Legal Studies Research Paper No. 3875507 ... Subscribe to this free ...
Law and psychiatry—current and future perspectives
We describe relevant interfaces between law and psychiatry and current ethical and legal views and changes within the past decades. Ideas of patient autonomy and patients' rights have been major drivers of changes in legal frameworks. We describe developments in the areas of patient information and informed consent, involuntary placement and ...
Research Topics and Resources
Research Topics with Related Reports and Publications. The Center explores innovative uses of the law through legal and empirical research projects on various public health topics. Here you can find fact sheets, legal memoranda, slideshows, policy analyses, and scholarly articles related to our public health law research.
AHLA
Staffing Shortages. In 2022, the health care workforce shortage will probably continue its spiral, and health care providers will be faced with more challenges than ever before. It is currently estimated that by 2030 there will be a global shortfall of more than 10 million nurses, for example.
Mental health and the law: An overview and need to develop and
The proposed center, called the Centre for Human Rights, Ethics, Law and Mental Health, has the objectives of (a) enhancing trained human resources in the areas of forensic psychiatry, law and human rights of persons with mental illness, (b) establishing and providing the highest standards in diagnostic and investigative approaches in forensic ...
Health Law Research Paper Topics
Mental Health Law and Policy: The intersection of law and mental health is a significant area of research in health law. Topics in this field may cover the legal rights of individuals with mental health conditions, involuntary commitment laws, and the integration of mental health services into the broader healthcare system.
Mental Health Law Topics
Mental health law was first conceived as a separate field of law in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Before then, laws certainly existed on various topics later subsumed within mental health law. These included the law governing civil commitment, guardianship, the legal insanity defense, and incompetency to stand trial, among others.
Crime, Mental Health, and the Law: A Psycho-Criminological ...
This Research Topic focuses on the application of psycho-criminological approaches and constructs to crime, criminal and civil law, and the influence of law on mental health and behavior. This is to explore how individual criminal behavior is acquired, evoked, maintained, and modified through personality, social, and/or environmental influences.
Policy Issues
Mental Health America (MHA) takes a unique approach to policy because MHA believes policy should ask people what they need to live the lives they want and support them in getting there. Recovery is founded on the principle that people can take on meaningful roles in the community when they receive the support they need for mental health challenges.
Resources on the mental health parity law
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), more than 41 million Americans were estimated to experience mental illness in 2012. Yet, an overwhelming majority of Americans remain unaware that health insurers are required to provide coverage for mental health, behavioral health and substance-use disorders ...
Further Evidence on the Global Decline in the Mental Health of the
Further Evidence on the Global Decline in the Mental Health of the Young. David G. Blanchflower, Alex Bryson, Anthony Lepinteur & Alan Piper. Working Paper 32500. DOI 10.3386/w32500. Issue Date May 2024. Prior to around 2011, there was a pronounced curvilinear relationship between age and wellbeing: poor mental health was hump-shaped with ...
Legal Profession's Mental Health Woes Start to Take Root in Law School
COMMENTARY. Legal Profession's Mental Health Woes Start to Take Root in Law School, Many Attorneys Say "You walk into a classroom on day one, you're expected to have read that case, and boom ...
COVID-19 and Mental Health
NIMH is supporting research to understand and address the impacts of the pandemic on mental health. This includes research to understand how COVID-19 affects people with existing mental illnesses across their entire lifespan. NIMH also supports research to help meet people's mental health needs during the pandemic and beyond.
Excellent to the "Core": World Class Neuroimaging at NIMH
In the past 50 years, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)'s Division of Intramural Research Programs (IRP) has been a world leader in developing and implementing advanced brain imaging technology. The division has fostered world-class facilities and seminal scientific advances that have allowed us to delve into the complex circuitry ...
Are Organizations All Talk and No Walk When It Comes to Mental Health
SHRM research reveals workers feel organizations don't offer enough mental health resources. Plus, experts offer insights on top mental health benefits.
Study finds text reminders help improve health care workers' mental health
Health care workers have reported spikes in feeling burnt out in the time since the COVID-19 pandemic began, with nearly half saying it took a toll in 2022 compared to 32% in 2018. But a new study ...
Five basic habits may hold the key to good mental health
Healthy routines might include cooking and eating a healthy meal, having a regular bedtime and getting regular exercise. Meaningful activities give us a sense of accomplishment, satisfaction or ...
Iowa mental health, substance use system consolidation signed into law
New law consolidates mental health, substance use disorder services. Now that the bill has been signed into law, the clock is ticking for top officials at Iowa's human services agency to build up ...
Freeing the Well-Being: Mental Health Accommodations in the Workplace
Common accommodations to address mental health issues are extended leave, scheduling changes, and additional breaks. You need to listen to the employee and the employee's healthcare provider.
Prenatal exposure to air pollution associated with increased mental
Feedback to editors. A baby's exposure to air pollution while in the womb is associated with the development of certain mental health problems once the infant reaches adolescence, new research has ...
What You Need to Know About Marijuana Rescheduling
The CSA is a federal law that classifies substances into schedules based on their potential for medical use and risk of abuse. The cannabis plant has been in the most restrictive category, Schedule 1, since the CSA was enacted in 1970. In the 2018 Farm Bill, cannabis plants with less than .3% concentration of the major psychoactive component of ...