Mental Health Law

This class will explore timely issues surrounding mental health law. Representative topics include civil commitment proceedings; forced outpatient treatment and hospitalization; mental health in the criminal justice system; guardianship/conservatorship and its alternatives; mental health courts; the Americans with Disabilities Act; the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA); and neurodiversity. A variety of stakeholders---clinicians, attorneys, individuals with mental illness or developmental disabilities, and family members---will join us as guest speakers to reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of the current system and to discuss possible reforms. The course will be graded on an MP/R/F basis. Elements used in grading: Class Participation, Written Assignments.