The fall and redemption of people and systems: potential lessons from the "star wars" saga

Abstract

Through an analysis of the fall and redemption of Anakin Skywalker and the Galactic Republic of the Star Wars saga, educators may be able to convey valuable lessons to students learning about child and adolescent psychiatry and to junior psychiatrists learning about psychiatric administration and liaison. Specifically, educators may be able to convey that 1) when caring for patients who have succumbed or are at risk of succumbing to "darkness" in the modern psychiatric sense (e.g., violence and criminal behavior), it is important to recognize risk factors as well as protective factors that can lead to successful "salvation"; and 2) when administering or serving as a liaison to systems of care, it is important to acknowledge and heal dysfunctions in the relevant "system."