The Mental Health Act

The Mental Health Act:

Strengths Of The Mental Health Act:

• The Mental Health Act works with the Mental Health Review Tribunal (MHRT). Its aim is to improve the safeguards for patients so that there is a varied time limit for different cases that need to be automatically referred by hospital managers.

• The Mental Health Act provides independent health advocates for patients. Independent health advocates work with ‘qualified patients’ (those who have the mentality to decide their choices and rights), so that they can provide support and care for who need it the most.

The Mental Health Act Protects with mental health disorders, providing they are in some sort of guardianship or supervised community which provides mental oriented treatments. The act had significant changes since 1983, meaning that was amended with new rights for patients and victims. Specifically the new derivation of liberty safeguarding was introduced in 2007. The Mental Health Act aims to protects those who may cause harm to them either themselves or others. If necessary, patients will be detained under strict considerations.

The Mental Health Act:

The Mental Health Act provides legal rights for those who suffer with mental disorders. The Mental Health Act means that an individual can be admitted by law, detained or treated by in hospital without consent (specifically known as a sectioning). For those who go through sectioning, it can be both emotionally and physically stressful, however it the individuals well being is provided for (concerning the matter).

The Mental Health Act offers treatments for those who have mental health issues. It involves conducting assessments on the potential patient and evaluation/treatment who from mental related illnesses. However professionals must work according both mental health acts (1983/2007) when providing care for patients.

What Is Mental Health?

Mental health refers to the processes and workings of the mind. It is important that members of the public understand how our through processes in the brain can effect the way we behave and how are thoughts/feelings can be either conscious or subconscious. Our behavior is normally determined by our well being and as to whether we are mentally healthy or not. Mental health is usually affected by the persons functioning of the brain

Safeguards for the who are subjected to detention (within the Act):

• Those who are subjected to detention will be informed appropriately and shortly after their practical admissions. This is to ensure that a person’s rights of appeal are formally maintained demonstrated under the act.

• Individuals who have been detained for more than a few days will have the right to appeal against their detention under the Mental Health Act.

• The independent committee compromises medical and legal lay way to those who have the right and power to right to discharge patients under circumstances.

• The Mental Health Act provides care with my Health Act Commissions to those who need established care after they are detained. This is to ensure that a person’s rights are upheld.

• Commissions who work with the act will provide care along with regular visits to settings such as hospitals. The individual who is receiving care can request an increased in care visits to make sure they receive their rights.

• The 2007 Mental Health Act allows a patient to have the power to leave the hospital without a supervisor. The person will not be medicated without consent and the patient can decide their medication regime (providing they have the mentality to do so). This is strength for the Mental Health Act as it encourages positive independence and gives individuals special considerations with their medication. However in certain circumstances, supervisors will monitor and medicate the patient. This is beneficial as it prevent psychotic episode and deterioration in health.

• The 2007 Mental Health Act has helped redefine and broaden mental health professionals who care is responsible and treat patient who need care without consent. This is a weakness as it can cause professionals to demonstrate their “responsibilities” for certain cases who can choose their own consent over their health.

• Professionals can only give Electroconvulsive Therapy to patients who cannot provide appropriate consent for the care that they may need. It is vital that patients have the capacity and mentality to refuse treatment. It will only be given to patients providing it does not cause conflict with the patient. This is strength as it allows patients to have the appropriate choice for their care so they remain in control of their rights.