Mental Health Law and Children

Catalog description

Mental health and substance abuse impacts everyone. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, in a given year approximately one quarter of adults in the United States are diagnosable for one or more mental illnesses. Additionally, one out of five children, either currently or at some point during their life, are diagnosed with a mental illness. Mental illness has a profound impact on children and families, including the legal response to these issues. Students will study the cases, statutes, and legal doctrines relating to the rights and inpatient/outpatient treatment of persons with mental illness or a developmental disability, with a special emphasis on children, youth, and parents and/or legal guardians. Topics covered include: informed consent to outpatient and inpatient treatment, admission/transfer/discharge, confidentiality of mental health records, litigation issues addressed by practitioners, and risk management strategies for mental health practitioners. This course will use cases and examples to compare and contrast application of the law and policies.