​TRANSLATIONAL/ ​TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE MONDAY

Dr. Josef on the Lindsay Clancy Case

7/31/2026

Val's Take/Conjecture

The Lindsay Clancy case brings home once again how dangerous these cases can be.
They also bring home how we need better Understandings and Treatments.

What is going to be accomplished by holding Lindsay Clancy --- "Accountable"?

One of the things that I've tried to point out is some difficult dynamics of COGNITIVE DISABILITY in this society --- and in the Justice System specifically.

Dr. Josef
On the Lindsay Clancy Case

Camelot and a Medieval belief in Laws

7/23/2026

Val's Take/Conjecture

So there are many associations with "Camelot."
There's the "Fairy Tale" --- that went terribly wrong both in the Musical and it's modern historical reference --- the JFK Presidency
JFK was neuro-diverse and he was more complicated and flawed than known at the time.
At the time of the JFK Presidency, the "dark side" of JFK was something the public could not deal with and in it's own way was traumatizing.
- That seems so strange now with Americans having been forcibly entered into "EXPOSURE THERAPY" over several decades with regard to their Leaders.

King Arthur, as "Enlightened," as he appears --- is really a Medieval Character. His faith in LAWS is brutally tested --- in trying to be a well-intentioned Man of Principle --- the Outcomes are horrific.

Camelot (1967)
Richard Harris as King Arthur & Vanessa Redgrave as Guinevere

Even a dog distinguishes between being stumbled over and being kicked

On the other hand, we can't ignore real safety concerns:

How did Colorado's Competency Program and Continuum of Care become such a broken mess

Is DOJ the Walrus?

7/9/2026

Val's Take

Look if you're really interested in addressing the need for a Continuum of Care for people with disabilities who need SECURE PLACEMENTS and the ECONOMICS of that --- you get rid of the IMD [Institute of Mental Disease] Rule and restrictions on Federal Funding of IMDs.

There have been some Waivers and Exceptions granted.

The IMD Rule is in Statute [the Social Security Act] and that is a problem --- but addressing that would probably require more Federal Spending, not less.

Further, States, including Colorado, have not invested in the High End of the Continuum of Care largely for budgetary reasons, not any great concern for people with disabilities.

The Beatles
I Am The Walrus

Rock N Roll Archives
I Am The Walrus is the Beatles Most Important Song

Law & Policymaking need to wake up to the research to Practice gap in Mental Health --- Interim procedures are needed

7/9/2026

Val's Take/Conjecture

One of the BIG CHALLENGES is LAW and POLICY MAKING currently have GREATER INCENTIVES to CLOSE the RESEARCH-to-PRACTICE Gap than Clinicians.
For Mental Health Clinicians, many of them are not even aware that the RESEARCH is UNDERMINING the FOUNDATION of their Profession.
Clinicians will ultimately have incentive to close the Research-to-Practice Gap, but "MEANWHILE" --- it's a HUGE, FRICKIN' PROBLEM.
For Law and Policy Making, these advances have MORE THAN THEORETICAL IMPLICATIONS ---- because the LAW is SO CONCEPTUAL.

Whether Researchers understand it or not, they have done a pretty good job of undermining the Intellectual Foundations not only of Mental Health but also of the Criminal Justice System.
Mental Health Experts didn't tell Courts around this Country and Internationally that we were dealing with Developmental Disorders that involve Multiple Systems of the Body with Neuro-Immune Mechanisms being a BIG DRIVER.

HEY ---- THAT'S NOT WHAT YOU SAID!!!!
Now --- they didn't lie --- BUT they didn't get it right either.

AMA Podcast
Closing the Research to Practice Gap

Dr. Mark Bauer, Professor of Psychiatry Emeritus at Harvard Medical School, and Dr. JoAnn Kirchner, past Director of the Veterans Healthcare Administration Behavioral Health Quality Enhancement Research Initiative and staff at Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System and Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, discuss how physicians and other health care leaders can better translate research into practice using implementation science frameworks.

Val's Take/Conjecture

One of the things about all the RESEARCH we funded --- BILLIONS & BILLIONS of DOLLARS WORTH ---- it's very diplomatically undermined what we're currently doing.
On the other hand, all that RESEARCH has not provided a MAGIC BULLET.

The multi-System world of Neurodevelopmental, Psychiatric & Addiction Disorders --- AND SYSTEMIC INADEQUATE CARE

6/22/2026

Summary

Research portrays a widening gap between:

(1) rapidly advancing knowledge that neurodevelopmental, psychiatric, and addiction disorders arise from complex neuro‑immune, metabolic, and psychosocial systems; and

(2) mental health professions and service structures still organized around single diagnoses, single organs, and short, symptom‑focused encounters.

The central tension is that clinicians and systems “champion treatment” yet remain structurally and conceptually ill‑equipped to deliver truly integrated, whole‑body, transdiagnostic care that matches the multi‑system nature of these conditions

BOTTOM LINE:

We have substantively OUT-DATED understandings and treatments prevailing over the most problematic health problems in our society.

"If you think the brain is complicated --- wait until you get to the immune system"

6/15/2026

Val's Take/Conjecture

Neuroscientist Antonio Damasio makes the point the mind is not just "Neural."

Rick was really the person that told me about MICROGLIA, and he was monitoring the research on that and thought it was ground-breaking and had enormous significance.

Additionally, as I was telling him about what I was learning about "IMMUNO-PSYCHIATRY" ---- one of the things he said was, "If you think the the brain is complicated --- wait until you get to the immune system."

Rick passed away March 9, 2022 from terminal lung cancer. He never smoked.

Is it just the IMMUNE SYSTEM --- well, it is playing a HUGE ROLE that we've largely missed historically -- it is COMPLICATED.

In addition --- ALL OF THIS IS CONNECTED --- to:

the MICROBIOME,
the ENDOCRINE SYSTEM,
the METABOLISM,
the larger CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (including the eyes),
BONES and CALCIUM -- including the TEETH
the Food Supply
Toxins --- Natural and Human-Made
the Social Determinants of Health
the "EXPOSOME"
the "LEGALOME"
Etc.

When we consider a PUBLIC HEALTH APPROACH to CRIMINAL JUSTICE or HOMELESSNESS, we are talking about traditional MENTAL HEALTH --- BUT WE NEED TO CONSIDER SO MUCH MORE.

Getting DEVELOPMENTAL NEURO-IMMUNE MECHANISMS on the radar screens of all of us, not just the researchers, is critical.

The 92nd Street Y, New York

Neuroscientist & Author Antonio Damasio explains why the mind encompasses more than just the brain

The Halluci Nation
R.E.D.

Progress on Homelessness while "Acute Cases" reveal the need for a continuum of care

5/27/2026

Val's Take:

One of the things that is not in the video to the right is that Denver Mayor Mike Johnston did acknowledge there was still work to do on the "acute cases."
Recognizing that it is really about providing the level of support and care that is needed, not a politically correct low or high level is necessary for effective policymaking.
Further, this has to be tailored to the individual.

What is currently available just within clinical and service practice is considerable, but the SCIENCE- PRACTICE GAP challenges multiple interests and perspectives.

"Neurodevelopmental and Psychiatric Disorders in Justice Settings: Key Risks in a Time of Changing Science"

5/25/2026

Conclusion

Justice‑involved people with neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders face multiple, layered risks: severe and complex mental health problems, high self‑harm and trauma exposure, social marginalisation, and legal vulnerability.

Rapid advances in understanding these conditions expose how far current justice processes, diagnostic practices and services lag behind.

The research consistently points to early, broad screening; neurodevelopment‑ and trauma‑informed, transdiagnostic care; specialist liaison/diversion; and adapted legal frameworks as central to reducing harm and improving outcomes.

Val's Take/Conjecture

The issue of ACCESS is undeniably important.
BUT ACCESS TO WHAT?
Our PRACTICES and SERVICES "lag behind" the Science to a frightening degree.
- Policymakers need to address this.

What is the Prison Implementation Penalty?

What are the risks for people with neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders who are justice involved--

At a time of rapid change in Scientific understandings of neurodevelopmental & psychiatric disorders?

How Are Neurodevelopmental and Psychiatric Disorders Atypical forms of Aging? What does that mean For employment?

5/20/2026

Val's Take/Conjecture

Employment status and desire for work in severe mental illness: results from an observational, cross-sectional study (2021)
- "Only about one-quarter (27.9%) of SMI patients is in competitive employment."

Most everyone --- from the person, to the family to the society --- wants the person with a Serious Mental Illness (SMI) to work --- but it often does not work.

The BARRIERS are often different than anyone expected.

The burden of making accommodations cannot just be placed on the EMPLOYER. Further, many Entrepeneurs do have psychiatric disorders and could use support.

Accommodating "Spiky Profiles" is not something we have no experience in --- but we do need to democratize it. Like many things --- the more we do it --- the better we will get.

How are Neurodevelopmental and Psychiatric Disorders Atypical Forms of Aging

Broader Vocational Context and Neurodiversity

Work is central to adult autonomy, social connection, and well‑being; unemployment increases mental health risks .
Neurodiversity frameworks highlight “spiky profiles” (specific strengths and weaknesses) and argue for:
*job design,
*supports, and
*workplace accommodations rather than a pure deficit model.

Conclusion

Across neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders, atypical or accelerated aging combines with early‑onset symptoms to reduce years worked, employment rates, earnings, and job quality.

Cognitive ability, education, social support, and tailored vocational opportunities can buffer these effects, but substantial gaps in stable, meaningful employment remain.

Supporting neurodivergent and psychiatric populations over the whole life course—especially during school‑to‑work transitions and into older age—is crucial for better work and aging outcomes.

What does Individual, Atypical Aging in Neurodevelopmental and Psychiatric Disorders Mean for Employment?

Jama Psychiatry is driving another stake into DSM DIAGNOSTIC CATEGORIESwith some practical alternatives --- BIO-MARKERS

4/21/2026

Val's Take/Conjecture

Lead author of the Study to the right is Sameer Jauhar, PhD with Imperial College London.
There were also several other authors of the Study from the UK including others from Imperial College London, Oxford and King's College London, and also Italy -- the University of Padua.

DSM Categories have been under fire from the highest tops of the Scientific Establishment for over a decade.

Slowly biomarkers are being identified.

In the meantime, there are plenty of questions about how we should be handling imperfect and incomplete psychiatric knowledge in the Criminal Justice System.

There are BIG JUSTICE ISSUES here and national institutional leaders such as the Council on State Governments Justice Center and Vera Institute of Justice --- should be weighing in.

Treatment For Psychosis May Be 'Fundamentally Flawed',
Study Finds
Science Alert
August 31, 2025

"This discovery challenges some aspects of modern psychiatric practice. Currently, treatment decisions rely heavily on diagnostic categories that may not reflect what is actually happening in people's brains."

. . .

"As our understanding of the brain advances, the rigid categories that have dominated psychiatry for decades are beginning to blur. If the brain (and mother nature) does not respect diagnostic boundaries, neither should our treatments."

Dopamine and Mood in Psychotic Disorders: An 18F-DOPA PET Study (2025)

Use of PET Scan to determine Striatal dopamine synthesis capacity (Kicer).

Metabolomic Biomarker Signatures for Bipolar and Unipolar Depression (2024)

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