Legal and Ethical Issues in Providing Mental Health Disability Evaluations

Psychiatric commitment has been a central subject in mental health care. It has been surrounded with ethical and legal issues basically focusing on individual’s autonomy and legal rights. This review aimed to explore the outcomes of psychiatric commitment on the lives of the individuals subject to this intervention despite these legal and ethical issues. Outcomes of involuntary commitment were leaning more towards its risks on individuals but poses benefits on health system and society. Therefore, more qualitative and quantitative studies focusing on benefits of psychiatric commitment are needed.

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Acute psychiatric emergencies

Oxford Handbook of Pre-hospital Care ◽

10.1093/med/9780198734949.003.0007 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 459-472

Author(s):

Ian Greaves ◽

Keith Porter

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Physical Examination ◽

Psychiatric Illness ◽

Suicide Attempts ◽

Ethical Issues ◽

Psychiatric Emergencies ◽

Psychiatric Conditions ◽

The Common ◽

Legal And Ethical Issues

This chapter covers acute psychiatric emergencies and the associated legal and care-related issues. It begins with patient assessment with both a mental and physical examination checklist. It lists the common organic causes of psychiatric illness, available local services, and risk factors for successful suicide attempts. The presentation and management of different psychiatric conditions is described, including psychosis, depression, mania, anxiety disorders, and personality disorders. The legal and ethical issues, including the 1983 and 2007 Mental Health Acts, are explained. Methods of managing the violent patient are also described.

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Paramedics and ACT mental health legislation

Australasian Journal of Paramedicine ◽

10.33151/ajp.12.4.236 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ellen J Bradley ◽

Ruth Townsend ◽

Michael Eburn

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Police Officers ◽

Mentally Ill ◽

Mental Health Treatment ◽

Ethical Issues ◽

Best Interests ◽

Decision Making Capacity ◽

Mental Health Legislation ◽

Health Legislation ◽

Legal And Ethical Issues

IntroductionOn 15 May 2014, the Minister for Health, The Hon Katy Gallagher presented the Mental Health (Treatment and Care) Amendment Bill 2014 (‘the Bill’) to the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly (1). The Bill was subsequently passed on 30 October 2014. One recommendation contained in the proposed Bill is to extend powers of apprehension, which are currently only held by police officers, to approved ACT paramedics. The power may be exercised without regard to the patient’s decision making capacity. This paper explores some of the legal and ethical issues associated with the proposed legislation.MethodsThis paper reviews the Bill in light of underlying legal and ethical principles that are relevant to the treatment of the mentally ill and paramedic practice.ResultsIt is demonstrated that there are arguments both in favour of, and against the proposal to grant paramedics powers of apprehension.ConclusionWhether allowing paramedics to detain a person who is mentally ill will work in the best interests of the patients remains to be seen but caution must be exercised to protect the paramedic/patient relationship.

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