Mental health act

We Offer Members Financial Advice, Support and a Powerful Voice in Government. People detained under the Mental Health Act need urgent treatment for a mental health disorder and are at risk of harm to themselves or others. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes to Legislation. Removal of categories of mental disorder.

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It covers the reception, care and treatment of mentally disordered persons, the management of their property and other related matters. The Mental Health Act says when you can be taken to hospital , kept there, and treated against your wishes. This can only happen if you have a mental disorder that puts you, or others, at risk. You should only be detained under the Mental Health Act if there are no other ways to keep you, or others, safe. What is mental health law?

We use the term mental health issues to refer to mental health problems, conditions and mental illnesses. These issues may or may not be medically diagnosed. Information and advice on the Mental Health Act (MHA) law and legislation for people in Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, and Hammersmith and Fulham.

Some people would choose not to use this term. However it is the term the Act uses to describe any disorder or disability of the min including dementia. The Act explains in what circumstances, and for what reasons, a person may be kept (detained) in hospital against their will. We monitor the use of the Mental Health Act and protect the interests of people whose rights are restricted under that Act. Most people receiving mental health care do not have their rights restricted.

However, in some instances this happens to protect the person receiving treatment or others. The new Mental Health Act Code of Practice. The Code is an important document which contains guidance for health and social care professionals working with people who have mental disorders or impairments. Find our guidance for people working with patients whose rights are restricted under the Mental Health Act , including details of our monitoring work, the notifications you may need to make and the second opinion appointed doctor service. The vast majority of people with mental health problems are never admitted to hospital.

Sometimes, but less often, people may be admitted to a psychiatric hospital for treatment on a voluntary basis, where they agree to come in for treatment. Among other things, the Mental Health Act allows people to be detained in hospital if they have a mental health condition and need treatment. It provides the legislation under which people who need urgent treatment for a mental health disorder, and who are at risk of harm to themselves or others, can be detained. This is commonly known as ‘being sectioned’. The Mental Capacity Act provides formal steps that people with dementia can take to have more control over decision-making in the future.

An AMHP is a mental health professional who is trained to use the Mental Health Act. This can be a psychologist, nurse, social worker or occupational therapist. They can be involved in bringing you to hospital under a section of the Mental Health Act.

The New Mental Health Act : An Easy Read Guide. Mental Health Tribunal: the organisation that decides about the compulsory treatment of people with mental disorder. Mental Welfare Commission: the organisation that looks after those who need help because of a mental disorder. Under the Mental Health Act , people with a mental disorder may be formally detained in hospital (or 'sectioned') in the interests of their own health or safety, or for the protection of other people.

They make sure all treatment follows the law. It implements controls on treatments for mental disorders, specifically including mood altering drugs, electro convulsion therapy, and surgery, making it clearer what treatment a hospital could give to a detained patient. People are referred to as being ‘under section’ or ‘sectioned’ – usually this means being admitted to a psychiatric hospital.

This may include making arrangements for an interpreter to support assessment. If a person is assessed and then admitted to hospital formally under another section of the Mental Health Act they would have the right to an Independent Mental Health Advocate and the right to appeal to the Tribunal and Hospital Managers. It requires only one medical recommendation from a doctor and the application is usually by an Approved Mental Health Professional, on very rare occasions it can be applied by the Nearest Relative.