Tristan Jepson Memorial Foundation 2008 Lecture

Ian Hickie presents research on mental health issues in the Australian legal profession. He discusses help-seeking behaviours, productivity, disability, economic burden of illness, suicide and prevention efforts, substance use, neurobiology, treatments, gender and age differences, stigma and discrimination, and more. Extremely well-researched presentation with many statistics and perspectives. The 40 minute lecture is followed by a panel discussion, a Q&A session with the audience, and a brief talk by organization co-founder George Jepson. The Tristan Jepson Memorial Foundation works to “raise awareness, improve education and build effective models of support which focus on mental health wellbeing” in the legal profession, and funds relevant research including that of Prof. Hickie.

The Brain and the Law

An overview of neuroethics and neurolaw that covers a lot of ground, from Phineas Gage to comas. Ways that the brain controls behaviour, issues of responsibility and accountability in the legal system, decision making, recidivism and rehabilitation, predicting violence, the hype and reality of fMRI lie detectors and the implicit association test (IAT), and more. Fast-paced and accessible talk, from the @RSAevents Vision lectures.

Big Think Interview with Nora Volkow

The Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse is interviewed about the scientific and social causes and courses of substance use disorders, and why they shouldn’t be criminalized. Includes transcript. See also: Volkow and others give lectures on addiction neurobiology at a 2006 symposium at the Picower Institute.

Trapped: Mental Illness Inside America’s Prisons

A beautiful and harrowing short film by documentary photographer Jenn Ackerman, examining conditions inside the Correctional Psychiatric Treatment Unit of the Kentucky State Reformatory.

Body Shock: The Man Who Ate His Lover

Good documentary about a case of voluntary erotic cannibalism between two men. A famous international news story, Armin Meiwes was eventually convicted. The documentary investigates his childhood, sexuality, psychological issues, and how the men met online. Via Documentary Heaven.

The Neuroethics of Neurocriminology: New Challenges

Is it possible to predict criminal violence with brain scans, and prevent it with biological interventions? Part of the excellent Neuroethics Learning Collaborative video series.

There Oughta be a Law, episode 1

The devastating effects of abusive bosses on mental health, and lobbying for a law against workplace harassment. Episode one in a documentary series by director Beverly Peterson, keep watching for more. If you are struggling with depression and anxiety at work (for any reason) also check out these free self-help workbooks, Antidepressant Skills at Work: Dealing with Mood Problems in the Workplace.

Mental Health Courts

A Halifax lawyer is interviewed about mental health courts and their role in the community. Part of a wonderful grassroots webisode series by Inclusion Revolution.

[Image by bloomsberries.]

Neuroscience, Law and Government Symposium

Keynote speaker Hank Greely gives a basic talk about neuroscience and the law for an audience of lawyers/law students. Topics include predicting (behaviour and illnesses), mind reading and lie detection, responsibility and consciousness, treatment, and cognitive enhancement. Q&A follows. Greely blogged about it as well; sounds like it was a great symposium and it’s a pity the other videos aren’t online too.

What’s the Matter with Memory?

The psychologist who pioneered research into false memories discusses their issues in law, psychotherapy, problems with misinformation and more. Great talk.