Mental Health and the impact it has on 
Mental health problems: Is it an increased risk factor for violent offending?
Adam J. Jetson
Griffith University
Assessment: Assessment 2 - Essay
Due date: September 26th, 2014
Course convener: Dr. Louise Porter
Tutor: Lara Christensen
Campus: Gold Coast
Class: Tuesday, 2pm – 3pm
Word count: 1965
In the past couple of decades, many of those who work in the field of forensic psychology have conducted numerous amounts of research to determine the link between violent offending and those who suffer from a mental illness. However, even though a large amount of research has been tested and it is indicated that there is a relationship between the two, it has been a major challenge to determine whether the results are accurate. Because these two share very similar risk factors to each other, the link remains in doubt. To start this essay, it will first define some key terms that will be used throughout, which include mental health problems, schizophrenia, and violent offending. These terms will be defined so there will be a central understanding to the topic being discussed. The main focus of this essay will try and determine the link between violent offending and people who suffer from a mental health issue. This will involve a very thorough analysis of the risk factors that arise from mental health problems and violent offending. First, this essay will begin by defining the term mental health problems, more specifically the types of illnesses that will be taken into consideration for the purpose of this essay. Second, it will explore theories and how they attempt to explain mental health and violent offending; and third, argue the links between mental health problems and violent offending. Increasingly, it is intended that these areas of discussion are to support the argument that people who suffer from a mental health problem are at an increased risk of violent offending. According to the DSM-V neurodevelopmental disorder, also known,
Adam J. Jetson
Griffith University
Assessment: Assessment 2 - Essay
Due date: September 26th, 2014
Course convener: Dr. Louise Porter
Tutor: Lara Christensen
Campus: Gold Coast
Class: Tuesday, 2pm – 3pm
Word count: 1965
In the past couple of decades, many of those who work in the field of forensic psychology have conducted numerous amounts of research to determine the link between violent offending and those who suffer from a mental illness. However, even though a large amount of research has been tested and it is indicated that there is a relationship between the two, it has been a major challenge to determine whether the results are accurate. Because these two share very similar risk factors to each other, the link remains in doubt. To start this essay, it will first define some key terms that will be used throughout, which include mental health problems, schizophrenia, and violent offending. These terms will be defined so there will be a central understanding to the topic being discussed. The main focus of this essay will try and determine the link between violent offending and people who suffer from a mental health issue. This will involve a very thorough analysis of the risk factors that arise from mental health problems and violent offending. First, this essay will begin by defining the term mental health problems, more specifically the types of illnesses that will be taken into consideration for the purpose of this essay. Second, it will explore theories and how they attempt to explain mental health and violent offending; and third, argue the links between mental health problems and violent offending. Increasingly, it is intended that these areas of discussion are to support the argument that people who suffer from a mental health problem are at an increased risk of violent offending. According to the DSM-V neurodevelopmental disorder, also known,