Annual Medico-Legal Seminar 2009

Want to find out more about mental disorders at a higher level? Register and attend the seminar below!

There is much mystery, myth and folklore surrounding mental disorders. In the not too distant

past, persons suffering from mental disorders were called ‘lunatics’; a term associated with the

supposed influence of the moon over a person’s mental condition and health. The medical discipline

of psychiatry has progressed far from those days and proper diagnostic and treatment programmes

are now available to those afflicted with the condition.

However, there is still a lack of awareness of what are the causes of mental disorder and its

various conditions such as schizophrenia, depressive disorders, morbid jealousy, etc. Why do some

people suffer from neuroses and others in similar circumstances do not? Is the cause organic,

genetic, or environmental?

More importantly, how can a mentally disordered person manage his own affairs? Should he

be held responsible for his actions while laboring under such a condition? How does the law deal with

a person suffering from mental disorder; from his capacity to make personal decisions to his

responsibility for his actions when he commits an offence? What is the role of the State in caring and

treating mentally disordered persons?

The 2008 Annual Seminar of the Medico-Legal Society on ‘Mental Disorders: The Medico-

Legal Issues and Challenges’ seeks to address the wide diversity of issues surrounding mental

disorders. The issues looked at include:

a) Understanding the nature, symptoms and treatment of mental disorders;

b) Mental disorder and legal incapacity - the extent to which a person suffering from mental disorder

can contract and give valid consent to medical treatment and to manage his own affairs.

c) Mental disorder and criminal liability - the extent to which a person suffering from mental disorder is

responsible for his actions.

d) The impact of the recent legislative amendments to the Mental Disorders and Treatment Act on the

care and treatment of persons suffering from mental disorders and new powers to manage their

affairs.

e) Punishing the mentally disordered offender – the philosophy behind the setting up of the

community court and the new approaches to punishing mentally disordered offenders through

various care and placement plans.

f) The Government’s blueprint for mental health for the next 5 years.

We have invited eminent speakers form their respective fields to speak at the Seminar. You

will have the opportunity at this Seminar to familiarize yourself with all the diverse issues affecting the

mentally disordered.