Lesson video

Hello, my name is Mrs. Rawbone, and I'm your RS teacher today.

I'd like to welcome you to this lesson on reasons for crime: mental illness, and addiction.

In today's lesson, you will be able to explain how mental illness and addiction can lead to crime and describe Christian and secular responses to these causes.

Keywords we'll be using today are addiction, crime, mental illness.

Addiction means being addicted to or dependent on a particular substance.

It can be a cause of crime, for example, stealing money to pay for illegal drugs.

Crime is an action which breaks the law.

It can be against the person, for example, murder, against property, for example, vandalism, or against the state, for example, treason.

And mental illness is a medical condition that can cause changes to a person's behaviour, and it can be a cause of crime.

Our lesson today will form two parts.

We'll be looking at mental illness and addiction and at responses to causes of crime.

Let's get started looking at mental illness and addiction.

Jacob and Laura are discussing the causes of crime.

Jacob says, "Can things like addiction or mental illness affect whether someone commits a crime?" Laura responds, "I'm sure they can.

If someone is struggling and doesn't get support, they can lose control and make poor choices." Jacob responds, "I wonder if that means they are less responsible for their actions if their condition affected their behaviour?" So why is Jacob's question important? Pause the video.

Take a moment to turn and talk to someone nearby.

Come back when you're ready to move on.

Crime has many causes: poverty, upbringing, mental illness, addiction, greed, and hate.

Mental illness is a medical condition that can cause changes to a person's behaviour, and it can be a cause of crime.

Addiction is being addicted to or dependent on a particular substance, and it too can be a cause of crime, for example, stealing money to pay for illegal drugs.

There's evidence of a link between mental illness and crime and between addiction and crime.

Mental illness.

Professor Tony Maden, a forensic psychiatrist, says untreated mental illness can lead to reoffending and calls for care and prevention rather than blame.

Addiction.

Professor Carl Hart, a neuroscientist, has shown that addiction is not just about bad choices, it is a medical and psychological condition which alters the brain.

Mental illness can create a cycle of offending.

Some people may find it hard to cope or think clearly because of their condition.

Poor judgement , a lack of support, or distress can lead to behaviour that breaks the law.

And being arrested or punished can make mental health worse, leading to further offences.

Addiction can create a cycle of offending.

Addiction takes control.

The person becomes dependent on drugs, alcohol, or gambling.

They may steal or commit other crimes to get money or access substances.

Arrest, shame, or lack of treatment can worsen the addiction and lead to more crime.

So let's check your understanding.

First of all, I'm going to give you an example.

Give one way in which mental illness can lead to crime.

You could say any of the following.

It can affect judgement and lead to poor decisions.

Someone might break the law during a crisis.

A lack of support can lead to harmful behaviour.

Now I'd like you to have a go on your own.

Give one way in which addiction can lead to crime.

So take a moment, pause the video if you need to, jot down your answer, and then come back when you're ready to move on.

You could have said any one of the following.

People may steal to fund their addiction.

Addiction can take over decision-making.

And desperation from addiction can lead to crime.

So well done if you put any one of those reasons.

It is really important to remember that addiction does affect someone's ability to make decisions.

Mental illness can be a cause of a variety of types of crime.

Violent offences.

So untreated mental health conditions can result in a loss of control.

Public order offences.

Mental illness can cause disruptive behaviour.

Drug and alcohol related offences.

People may use substances to mask their symptoms. Non-compliance, for example, with court orders.

Mental illness can make it hard to follow probation or court orders.

Can you think of any further examples? Pause the video, turn and talk to someone nearby if you can, or you can talk to me, and then come back when you're ready to move on.

Addiction can be a cause of a variety of types of crime.

Theft and burglary.

So people may steal to get money or goods to support their addiction.

Drug offences.

Individuals can possess, use, or deal illegal substances.

Driving offences.

Addiction can lead to offences like driving under the influence.

And violent crime.

Addiction reduces self-control and makes people more aggressive.

So pause the video again.

Can you think of any further examples? Come back when you're ready to move on.

Let's think about mental illness.

An example is John Hinkley Jr.

He tried to assassinate President Reagan in 1981.

He was diagnosed with schizophrenia and found not guilty by insanity and committed to hospital.

Addiction.

Keith Hunter Jesperson struggled with substance abuse in the 1990s, which contributed to multiple murders and shows how addiction can lead to serious crime.

Let's check your understanding.

Is this statement true or false? Addiction can increase aggression and lower impulse control, leading to violent crime.

So take a moment to think about your answer and also think about why.

Come back to the lesson when you're ready to check.

Well done if you put true.

But why is it true? It's true because addiction affects brain function and it reduces someone's ability to control their impulses and to manage their emotions.

Jun and Jacob are discussing how mental illness affects someone's responsibility in relation to crime.

A man with a serious mental health condition commits a violent act during a breakdown.

He did not plan it and later cannot fully remember what happened.

Jun says, "This man needs treatment, not punishment.

He's not to blame." Jacob says, "He might need help, but he is still to blame for breaking the law." So take some time to think about who your view aligns most closely with.

Pause the video, turn and talk to someone nearby, or talk to me, and then come back when you're ready to move on.

Jun and Jacob are discussing how addiction affects someone's responsibility in relation to crime.

A woman steals from a shop to buy drugs.

She's been addicted for years and says she wants help but cannot stop.

Jun says, "She chose to take drugs.

She's to blame for what she did." Jacob says, "Her addiction took over.

She needs support, not punishment." So again, think about whose view yours most closely aligns with.

Pause the video, turn and talk to someone nearby if you can, or talk to me, and then come back when you're ready to move on.

Let's check your understanding again.

What are the missing words? Someone with a serious mental health condition who commits a violent act during a breakdown needs.

And secondly, a woman who steals to feed her, needs support to recover.

So take a moment, pause the video if you need to, jot down your answers, and then come back when you're ready to check.

So well done if you've got for the first one that someone who commits a violent act during a breakdown needs treatment, and for the second, that a woman who steals to feed her addiction needs support to recover.

For Task A, I'd like you to identify one way mental illness can lead to crime.

Explain why it can cause crime, and then include an example of how it might lead someone to commit crime.

And I'd like you to do the same thing looking at addiction, so one way addiction can lead to crime.

Again, explain why it can cause crime, and include an example of how it might lead someone to commit a crime.

So pause the video, take your time to think about your examples and your explanations, and then come back when you're ready to see what you could have written.

You could have said mental illness can make it difficult for people to follow court orders or legal requirements.

For instance, an individual with severe mental illness might miss probation meetings, leading to further legal trouble.

Addiction affects brain function and impulse control, increasing the risk of violent behaviour.

For instance, someone intoxicated by alcohol might get into fights or commit assaults.

So well done if you managed to give an example for each of those causes of crime.

For the second part of our lesson, we're going to be looking at responses to causes of crime.

Christians try to answer questions about crime by consulting sources of authority such as the Bible and church teachings.

They might also use their conscience and reason, which they see as God-given gifts, and consider non-religious arguments to work out what to do.

They may interpret the sources differently or emphasise one more than another.

Let's have a look at Bible teachings as a source of wisdom and authority.

The Bible does not use modern terms like mental illness, but many Christians try to read it in context.

For example, when Jesus heals people by casting out demons, Christians today might understand that story differently, recognising we now view mental illness in medical and psychological terms. However, they would still try to follow the spirit of Jesus' actions, showing compassion, restoring dignity, and offering care to those who are suffering.

Luke 12:47-48 says, "The servant who knows the master's will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows.

But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows." So although this isn't directly about mental illness, it does suggest that people are judged based on what they're capable of understanding.

So if, for whatever reason, someone lacks full understanding of what they're doing, as might be the case with serious mental illness, they may still be accountable but to a lesser degree.

The Bible also doesn't use modern terms like addiction.

But again, many Christians try to read it in context.

For example, the Bible warns against drunkenness and losing self-control.

But Christians today often understand addiction as a complex medical and psychological issue.

So whilst the language has changed, the message of offering support, showing compassion, and helping to recover remains central to how many Christians respond to addiction today.

Proverbs 23:29-35 says, "Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Those who linger over wine.

In the end it bites like a snake.

They hit me, you will say, but I'm not hurt.

They beat me, but I don't feel it.

When will I wake up so I can find another drink?" This is a very vivid description of the cycle of addiction, especially to alcohol.

It shows that the Bible recognises how powerful addiction can be and it helps explain why someone might commit a crime, although it does not say this removes responsibility.

So let's check your understanding.

Is this statement true or false? The Bible teaches that addiction is powerful and can lead someone to lose their self-control.

So take a moment, think about your answer, but also think about why.

Come back to the lesson when you're ready to check.

So well done if you put true.

But why is this true? So as we saw in Proverbs 23:29-35, the Bible does highlight the dangers of alcohol and shows how it can lead to confusion, suffering, and a loss of self-control.

So well done if you managed to get that explanation as well.

Different Christian denominations agree that mental illness can lead to crime.

The "Catechism of the Catholic Church," in paragraph 2,282, states that mental illness "can diminish the responsibility of the one committing a wrong act." The church calls for compassion alongside justice and protection for others.

Quakers focus on the inner light in every person, including those with mental illness.

They work through groups like Quaker Peace & Social Witness to advocate for better treatment of offenders with mental illness.

Denominations also agree that addiction is a cause of crime.

Baptists uphold personal responsibility but do stress the need to help those overcoming addiction and so support rehabilitation over retribution.

The Baptist Union of Great Britain has spoken in favour of recovery programmes and prison ministry.

The Orthodox Church teaches that addiction is a form of spiritual and bodily slavery.

The church stresses the importance of spiritual healing, confession, and pastoral care, often alongside medical treatment.

There are non-religious, or secular, and religious organisations that work with mental illness and addiction.

Turning Point works with people affected by mental health issues and substance misuse.

It provides community-based mental health support, it runs drug and alcohol treatment programmes, and it offers recovery services to reduce reoffending.

Caritas Social Action Network, CSAN, works with those affected by addiction and mental illness.

It works with local Catholic charities, it supports ex-offenders and people at risk of offending, and it advocates for criminal justice reform.

Brandon is a humanist.

He's explaining his response to mental illness and addiction as causes crime.

Brandon says, "Mental health and addiction are two of the biggest reasons people end up in the justice system.

That is why I support Turning Point.

Instead of waiting until someone ends up in court or in prison, they offer early support in the community.

It's about helping people before things get worse and breaking the cycle that keeps people reoffending.

So what does Brandon say Turning Point do to help people break the cycle of crime? Take a moment, turn and talk to someone nearby if you can, pause the video, come back when you're ready to move on.

Name one Christian or secular organisation that works to respond to either mental illness or addiction as a cause of crime.

So pause the video, have a think about what we've just learned, and come back when you're ready to check your answer.

You could have said either of the following: Turning Point or Caritas Social Action Network.

So well done if you've got one of those organisations.

Here are two arguments for and two against the statement, people who commit crimes because of mental illness should be helped, not punished.

Arguments for.

Helping someone recover from mental illness is the best way to stop them committing another crime, and being punished may increase their suffering and lead to more problems rather than to change.

Arguments against.

Mental illness may explain the behaviour, but it doesn't remove the responsibility completely, and people who are a danger to others need to be kept away even if they're unwell.

Here are two arguments for and two against the statement, if you commit a crime to feed your addiction, you are still responsible.

Arguments for.

Even if addiction influence their actions, they are responsible for what they did.

And also, people usually choose to start using drugs or alcohol, so they are responsible.

On the other hand, arguments against.

Someone who is addicted may struggle to make rational choices.

And helping people recover from addiction is more likely to stop future crimes.

True or false? An argument in support of the view that addiction can reduce responsibility for crime is that someone who is addicted may struggle to make rational choices.

Take a moment, think about not just whether it's true or false but why, and then come back when you're ready to check your answer.

Well done if you picked true.

But why is it true? Well, it's true because addiction can impair a person's ability to make rational decisions.

It means they may not be fully in control of their actions or they may not fully understand the consequences.

So well done if you also managed to put in an explanation.

For Part 1 of our task, I'd like you to decide whether the arguments below support the statement, if you commit a crime to feed your addiction, you are still responsible, or argue for a different point of view.

Complete the table by explaining how.

Argument one: addiction does not remove awareness of right and wrong.

Argument two: addiction influences behaviour.

Argument three: addicts need help.

And argument four: using drugs or alcohol is a choice.

So do they support or do they argue for a different point of view, and why or how? Pause the video, take your time, and come back when you're ready to see what you could have written.

You could have said, for argument one, this is support for the statement, because even though someone is addicted, they still understand the crime is wrong and can be held accountable.

Argument two is not supporting the statement because it suggests that addiction affects a person's control, making their actions less fully voluntary or rational.

Argument three addicts, need help.

This also goes against the statement because rather than focusing on blame, society should provide support to treat addiction and prevent crime.

Argument four is in support of the statement.

The initial decision to use substances is voluntary, so individuals bear responsibility for consequences.

So well done if you managed to spot whether those arguments were in support or whether they argued for a different point of view, and if you also managed to put your own explanation.

For Part 2 of our task, I'd like you to explain two religious beliefs about mental illness as a cause of crime.

To answer this question, you might want to use the suggestions below.

Point and develop.

So some, or insert the name of group, Christians, and develop, this means.

And then other, or insert the name of the group, Christians, and this means.

So pause the video, take your time to write your two points and develops, and then come back when you're ready to see what you could have said.

You could have said: the Catholic Church teaches that mental illness can reduce moral responsibility because it affects decision-making.

The "Catechism," paragraph 2,282, says, "Grave psychological disturbances can diminish responsibility." Caritas Social Action Network, CSAN, supports those with mental illness and promotes dignity and rehabilitation.

The Methodist Church believes mental health must be considered in justice.

Its report "Justice, Mercy and Punishment" states mental illness should be treated and offenders' capacity considered.

Methodism focuses on restorative justice and compassionate care rather than punishment alone.

So well done if you managed to make a point and to develop it for two Christian views on the topic of mental illness as a cause of crime.

In today's lesson, we have looked at how mental illness can increase the risk of criminal actions, that addiction is a medical and psychological condition that can lead people to commit crimes.

The Bible suggests people are judged based on what they understand and acknowledge how powerful addiction can be.

Christian denominations generally agree that mental illness and addiction lead to crime, but they stress treatment and rehabilitation.

Charities such as Turning Point and Caritas Social Action Network work to prevent reoffending by supporting people struggling with mental illness and addiction.

Thank you very much for working with me today on this lesson.

I really appreciate all of your efforts.