Program Shows Promise for Treating Substance Misuse in Forensic Psychiatric Setting

Substance misuse is common among patients in the forensic mental health system, and this complicates their recovery and community reintegration.

A semi-structured manualized treatment program (SSMTP) is showing promise for treating patients who misuse drugs and alcohol and have multiple mental disorders in a forensic mental health setting. Research has found that SSMTP increased recognition of a problem and steps taken toward substance use cessation in this population. However, the program may be more effective for some substances than others.

Self-Harm in Forensic Mental Health Patients with Intellectual Disabilities

Forensic mental health patients with intellectual disabilities (IDs) have a higher risk of self-harming than those without IDs. Female patients and patients with a history of self-harm are at even greater risk. Identifying this elevated risk early can help forensic mental health professionals act sooner and better support patients before they self-harm.

In a recent study published in BMC Psychiatry, Dr. Mark Mohan Kaggwa and colleagues examined the prevalence of self-harm among forensic mental health patients with IDs in Ontario. The researchers reviewed each patient’s demographic, clinical, and forensic history to identify the characteristics most closely associated with self-harm.

Weapon Use During Index Offences

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Why Dual Harm Demands Integrated Care in Forensic Psychiatry

Dual harm refers to when a patient harms themself and acts aggressively toward others or objects. When these behaviours occur together, patients often need closer monitoring and more coordinated care.

A study published in PLoS One by Mark Mohan Kaggwa, Bailea Erb, Sébastien Prat, Arianna Davids, John Bradford, Gary Chaimowitz, and Andrew Olagunju examined which factors were associated with dual harm among forensic patients in Ontario. Their findings highlight the need for integrated, trauma-informed care planning that addresses self-harm and aggression together.

Improving Rehabilitation Outcomes for Older Adults in Ontario’s Forensic Psychiatry System While Maintaining Public Safety

Historical factors consistently outweighed dynamic and protective factors, but risk assessments for older adults need to be rebalanced.

I Know Where You Live … Psychopathology and Risk Management of Stalking Behaviour

Stalking remains a neglected area in forensic research. PubMed lists only about 1,500 articles on stalking in the past 25 years — just over 1% of what appears for violence in the same period.

Dr. John Bradford highlighted the scant research during his February 6 presentation as part of the International Forensic Psychiatry Lecture Series.

He also shared examples of his experience of being stalked. Research from 2013 showed that 15% of physicians in the Greater Toronto Area and 11% of psychiatrists in the United Kingdom were stalked.

Childhood Sexual Abuse by Women Against Boys

When it comes to sexual abuse, a new, broader theoretical framework needs to include gender diversity.

When a woman sexually abuses a boy, the woman and the boy each experience events differently than men who sexually abuse girls. These discussions need to include stereotypes about dangerous females, male sexuality, normal sexual experimentation, and the social worth of males’ perceptions of female sexual attention.

Sexually Motivated Homicide: Descriptive Characteristics and Empirical Evidence

The assessment of individuals charged with a sexual offence has evolved over many years and has become more specialized. The most comprehensive evaluation is available in specialized centres for assessing and treating sexual deviations. Sexually motivated homicide is an extremely rare event. Empirical studies have provided evidence-based characteristics of those who commit sexual homicide and the nature of sexual homicide offences, particularly in the last 10 years. This has assisted in defining whether a sexually motivated homicide has occurred. It can also be incorporated into sexual behaviour evaluations when factors associated with a sexually motivated homicide may be recognized before the person acts out violently. This paper reviews evidence-based research on sexual homicides and how this is used to classify whether a homicide is sexually motivated. Risk factors associated with sexually motivated homicides are reviewed.

Coping with COVID-19: Pandemic Life and Problematic Sexual Behaviour

As a result of COVID-19 related restrictions around the globe, individuals have experienced a stark shift in the way we socialize and connect. This has impacted many facets of people’s lives, one being sexual experience and expression. Although the fact that sex and sexuality were affected by the pandemic and the public health measures and restrictions is no surprise, the specific impacts are proving to be quite fascinating and unexpected. On the one hand, we may predict increased intimacy among partners due to closer proximity and more time together. However, a counter point could be that all that time together combined with the stress of the pandemic suffocated desire. And what about sexual interests? How and why might those be a casualty of pandemic life?

Shifts in the Significant Risk Threshold

This Editorial addresses the concept of significant threat pertaining to Canadian law.