The American Psychiatric Association, the world’s largest mental health professional organization, held its Institute on Psychiatric Services last weekend. Lorio Forensics Principal Dr. Sarah Vinson was part of panel that included the Honorable Judge Steve Leifman and Immediate Past President of the American Psychiatric Association, Dr. Altha Stewart. The session was entitled Disparities at the Intersection of Mental Health and Criminal Justice: A Round Table Discussion. In her prepared comments, Dr. Vinson emphasized the role of adverse childhood experiences, social determinants of children’s mental health and racial disparities in the educational and juvenile justice systems as key issues.
Dr. Vinson stated, “In every capital case in which I have served as a forensic psychiatry consultant, regardless of age, circumstances of the crime, or race, there is a consistent theme: intergenerational trauma, poverty and increased need for support tragically coupled with multi-system safety net failures in housing, child protection, mental health and substance use services.”
