This paper describes the task of mental health professionals working in the context of preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE) and provides guidance on how this can be undertaken to be consistent with ethical practice. In the section on Ethical Dilemmas, the key concerns of psychiatrists, psychologists and psychiatric nurses in relation to this work are identified and addressed.

These concern their dual responsibility towards their patients and the wider public, the challenges of breaching confidentiality and sharing information, the dangers of pathologising beliefs, and the importance of ensuring that their practice is evidence-based and does not take them beyond the limits of their competence as mental health practitioners.

The different contexts in which mental health professionals are called upon for professional advice and the possible links between mental health and radicalisation are described, as are the consequences for the risk of harm.

The paper concludes with a section titled Guidelines that presents the ethical guidelines that are consistent with the professional codes of practice of mental health professionals under the four headings of Respect, Responsibility, Competence and Integrity.