Mental Health & Criminal Tendencies

The increase in all kinds of mental ailments and disturbances is the most alarming trend of all diseases of the modern age. There are more and more mentally sick patients all over the world, especially in the affluent countries.

In many cases, the criminal element within our society is mentioned in the same breath as mental illness. One positive and far-reaching result, stemming directly from the research work of Freud, is the recognition that criminals and delinquents are mentally sick people, who need treatment rather than punishment. It is this liberal outlook on the problem that is the basis of all 'progressive' social reforms to replace punishment with rehabilitation.