Differences between British and Japanese perspectives on forensic mental health systems:A preliminary study

AIM To clarify the differences in views on forensic mental health(FMH) systems between the United Kingdom and Japan.METHODS We conducted a series of semi-structured interviews with six leading forensic psychiatrists. Based on a discussion by the research team, we created an interview form. After we finished conducting all the interviews, we qualitatively analyzed their content. RESULTS In the United Kingdom the core domain of FMH was risk assessment and management; however, in Japan, the core domain of FMH was psychiatric testimony. In the United Kingdom, forensic psychiatrists were responsible for ensuring public safety, and psychopathy was identified as a disease but deemed as not suitable for medical treatment. On the other hand, in Japan, psychopathy was not considered a mental illness. CONCLUSION In conclusion, there are considerable differences between the United Kingdom and Japan with regard to the concepts of FMH. Some ideas taken from both cultures for better FMH practice were suggested.

Effect of educational intervention on attitudes toward the concept of criminal responsibility

AIM To evaluate the effect of educational intervention on individuals' knowledge of and attitudes toward forensic mental health.METHODS We conducted a questionnaire regarding attitudes toward various ideas about forensic mental health. The respondents attended a 1-h seminar regarding forensic mental health after answering the questionnaire. On completion of the seminar, the respondents answered another questionnaire containing many of the same questions as contained in the pre-seminar questionnaire.RESULTS A total of 86 individuals attended the seminar, and 78 responded to the questionnaire. Only 13(18.8%) participants were supportive of the concept of criminal responsibility initially, and there was a statistically significant increase in those who became more supportive after the seminar, with 22(33%) being supportive after the seminar(Wilcoxon signed-rank test, P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that participants who were skeptical about forensic mental systems and those with fewer opportunities to see media reports regarding psychiatry were likely to become supportive of criminal responsibility after the intervention.CONCLUSION These results suggest that public attitudes toward criminal responsibility and mental health can be influenced via educational interventions.