August 14, 2019

expert encounter: Prof Seena Fazel – mental illness and violence

There was no news story or study pegged to this briefing, but it was an opportunity for journalists to hear about the latest research in the field and ask any questions they may have on this subject.

Journalists came to the SMC to hear from Prof Seena Fazel, Professor of Forensic Psychiatry and Wellcome Trust Senior Research Fellow in Clinical Science at the University of Oxford, who’s research focuses on the relationship between mental illness and violence. He’ll was able to address questions such as:

• What are the common misconceptions about the link between mental illness and violence?
• Why is speculation on individual cases unhelpful?
• Just because someone with a mental illness commits a violent crime, how do we know if their illness played a role?
• What are the most effective interventions in terms of reducing the risk of harm to others?
• In light of Donald Trump’s comments on mass shootings and mental health, what does the evidence actually say?