 Halpern is also a very strong opponent of the death penalty; he has written extensively on the subject of physician participation in executions.Halpern has also spoke out in defense of the curative benefits of psychoanalysis.Halpern has advocated for the abolition of the insanity defense

Served on active duty in Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve from Sep. 24, 1942 to Nov. 30, 1945 in European, North Atlantic, and Pacific theatres.