Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 22:36:10 +1300 From: ajmac-AT-iconz.co.nz (Brenda & Tony MacCulloch) Subject: M-PSY: Laws don't stop lunatics or 'Suicide by Cop" >Chris Burford wrote - > >I am wondering whether the distinction is between psychiatrically ill and >emotionally disturbed. Previously people who were emotionally disturbed >were diagnosed as being ill and lost their liberty. Including people like >Janet Frame, (whose story is portrayed in "An Angel at my Table"). > >Were there not indications in the reports of this recent tragedy that there >was an emotional problem involving his immediate family? >Perhaps he should not have been diagnosed as psychiatrically ill, but should >he and millions of others have access to counselling? Indeed, I agree with your comment about accessability to counselling, but are people who are labelled 'emotionally disturbed' in fact disturbed; or is it our projections upon them that creates that label. It is of note that a hot-line was set up after the event to ensure that those effected were given access to counselling, I may be wrong but I think this is a pretty standard procedure in these situations. A little like shutting the door after the horse has bolted. That is, if counselling had been as freely available prior to the event, the event may well have been prevented. I was able to contact the N.Z. Police Psychiatrist for info during the write up of my thesis. I asked him about police shootings of 'mentally ill' armed offenders. He sent me some very interesting data on N.Z. episodes. He called it 'Suicide by Cop' in that the person deliberately put himself (yes always a 'he') in a position of creating danger to the public and the police, thereby constructing his own death. Does this 'Suicide by Cop' (Cop is a N.Z. word for policeman) happen in the U.K. ? I mean is it recognised as such. Thank you Brenda ajmac-AT-iconz.co.nz (and yes, the English Cricket team did win) --- from list marxism-psych-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu ---
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