conceptual framework mental illness individuals law enforcement

conceptual framework mental illness individuals law enforcement essay assignment

conceptual framework mental illness individuals law enforcement and neighborhood status essay assignment

Problem Statement

Mental health disability strikes people in every culture and ethnic group. People with a mental health disability may experience problems (Araujo & Borrell, 2012) with little to no social support. They can face difficulties such as having a job, finding a decent place to live, and treatment (Borinstein, 1992; Overton & Medina, 2008). Others may view people with mental health disabilities as individuals who are dangerous, loud, violent, and having unpredictable behaviors (Araujo & Borrell, 2012; Bathje & Pryor, 2011). The stigma with mental health disability may deprive people of their self-respect, affect the way they participate in public, and discriminate against them due to their mental health disability (Anglin, Link, & Phelan, 2006; Corrigan, Byrne, Davis, & Watson, 2005).

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One issue law enforcement and the mentally ill have is violence and taking away a person’s rights. These are violations and a significant barrier against people with a mental illness. Monahan, J et al. (2001) states many people with mental illness are no more likely to be violent than the general population unless they are left untreated. Reducing police violence against a person with a mental illness has received increasing attention in communities with a high-income. Kohrt, B.A. et al. (2015) believes there exists a lack of implementation models for the involvement of law enforcement in the protection of people with a mental illness in lower-income communities.

R.J. Bursik, & H.G. Grasmick, (1993) believes encounters that take place in higher-income neighborhoods may result in referral or transport to services than those in lower-income areas.  Battles taking place in higher-income and higher-stability communities are likely to be dispatch-initiated and take place in a private home compared to those in lower-income and lower-stability communities.  Klinger (1997) and Smith (1987) suggest ways to improve the outcomes of police interactions with persons with a mental illness and it becomes essential to consider other background variables that could influence how law enforcement may behave. This study will examine the effect of neighborhood context as a background variable. Specifically, it will explore how variations in neighborhood income levels are related to law enforcement behavior toward mentally ill individuals.

This qualitative case study will be conducted exclusively in Jackson, Mississippi. This location was chosen because Jackson Mississippi has both low- and high-income neighborhoods. Jackson is a comparatively large city that is in the state of Mississippi. Jackson has a population of about 167,000 people and about 50 fundamental neighborhoods. In Mississippi, Jackson is the largest community. According to Welfareinfo.org. (2019), an online article, it states thepoverty rate in Jackson almost 29%. Out of every 4 residents in Jackson one live in poverty. That’s almost 48,000 of 167,000 Jackson residents whose reported income levels are below the poverty line within the last year (2018).

Purpose Statement

The purpose of this qualitative research study is to investigate, understand, and explore the relationship between neighborhood income levels in Jackson, Mississippi and police treatment of mentally ill individuals. I will investigate to see how law enforcement records and reacts to circumstances involving people with a mental illness in both low-income and high-income communities and the communication law enforcement has when assisting mentally ill people in their communities. Another objective is to explore how police might utilize different approaches in high-and low-income neighborhoods while minimizing deaths, learning effective ways to communicate, and to see if there is any training needed within law enforcement agencies (Lum et al. 2015) or within the public.

Research Question(s)

  1. What is the relationship between neighborhood income levels in Jackson, Mississippi and police treatment of mentally ill individuals?