scholarly journals International variations in mental-health law regulating involuntary commitment of psychiatric patients as measured by the Mental Health Legislation Attitudes Scale

2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 104-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irina Georgieva ◽  
Richard Whittington ◽  
Christian Lauvrud ◽  
Tilman Steinert ◽  
Sofia Wikman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Health Law ◽  
Mental Health Law ◽  
England And Wales ◽  
Mental Health Legislation ◽  
National Mental Health ◽  
Health Legislation ◽  
Involuntary Placement

Previous research illustrated that the laws regulating involuntary placement and treatment of people with mental-health problems are diverse across countries. International studies comparing satisfaction levels between countries are rare. We compared the opinions of professionals and family members about the operation of the national mental-health law regulating forcibly admission and treatment of psychiatric patients in 11 countries: Ireland, Iceland, England and Wales, Romania, Slovenia, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Norway and India. An online survey design was adopted using a Mental Health Legislation Attitudes Scale (MHLAS). This brief nine-item questionnaire was distributed via email to psychiatrists, general practitioners, acute and community mental-health nurses, tribunal members, police officers and family members in each collaborating country. The levels of agreement/disagreement were measured on a Likert scale. Data were analysed both per question and with regard to a total MHLAS ‘approval’ score computed as a sum of the nine questions. We found that respondents in England and Wales and Denmark expressed the highest approval for their national legislation (76% and 74%, respectively), with those in India and Ireland expressing the lowest approval (65% and 64%, respectively). Almost all countries had a more positive attitude in comparison to Ireland on the admission criteria for involuntary placement and the way people are transferred to psychiatric hospitals. There are significant variations across Europe and beyond in terms of approval for how the national mental-health law framework operates in each country.

Opinions of professionals and family members about the National mental health law regulating involuntary commitment of psychiatric patients: An international comparative study in 10 countries

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S337-S337
Author(s):  
I. Georgieva ◽  
C. Lauvrud ◽  
R. Almvik ◽  
R. Whittington
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Best Interests ◽  
Involuntary Commitment ◽  
Health Law ◽  
Mental Health Law ◽  
National Mental Health

IntroductionPrevious research illustrated that the laws regulating involuntary placement and treatment of persons with mental health problems are very diverse across countries: procedures for involuntary commitment and stakeholders involved in the initiation and decision making vary across countries; most laws include criteria of danger/risk, which take various forms in EU Member States’ legal frameworks, while the need for treatment in the best interests of the patient is sufficient to detain individuals in other countries, etc.ObjectivesThis study will compare the opinions of professionals and family members about the operation of the National mental health law regulating forcibly admission and treatment of psychiatric patients in ten countries: Ireland, Iceland, UK, Romania, Slovenia, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Norway and India.AimsTo gain insights into stakeholders’ satisfaction with the operation of their national legislation and to compare the effectiveness and acceptability of different legislative processes across countries. Such scientific findings are needed in order to improve and harmonize legal practices, and to enhance fundamental rights protection of persons with mental health problems, which eventually could result in a lower rate of compulsory admissions.MethodsA short anonymous questionnaire consisting of 9 items was developed, using the online software Survey Monkey. It was distributed to representative samples via e-mail to psychiatrists, general practitioners, acute and community mental health nurses, tribunal members, guards and family members in each collaborating country. The levels of agreement/disagreement were measured on a Likert- scale.Results/ConclusionsThe study's results and conclusions will be presented at the conference.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals Mental health law reforms in Uganda: lessons learnt

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 39-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua Ssebunnya ◽  
Sheila Ndyanabangi ◽  
Fred Kigozi
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Health Law ◽  
Mental Health Law ◽  
Work In Progress ◽  
Lessons Learnt ◽  
Mental Health Legislation ◽  
Health Legislation

Ugandan mental health legislation, which dates from 1964, principally aims to remove persons with mental disorders from the community but also to protect their safety, by keeping them in confinement, although this has been without consideration for clinical care. In response to criticism from various stakeholders and advocates and the need to reflect modern clinical care, Uganda undertook to review and amend the mental health legislation, as part of the Mental Health and Poverty Project (MHaPP). We report on work in progress advancing new legislation.

scholarly journals Mental health legislation in Algeria

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoubir Benmebarek
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Health Law ◽  
Colonial Era ◽  
Mental Health Law ◽  
Delivery Of Care ◽  
Mental Health Legislation ◽  
French Colonial ◽  
Health Legislation

Mental health law in Algeria originates from the French colonial era. Although several pieces of legislation deal with mental disorders, their implementation remains unsatisfactory and does not meet the real needs of healthcare providers. Amendment of the current mental health law is required to enhance the delivery of care but also to protect those with a mental disorder from abuse.

Consultant Psychiatrists' Knowledge of Mental Health Legislation in Scotland

1998 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 237-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Humphreys
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Law ◽  
Apparent Lack ◽  
Mental Health Law ◽  
Medical Practitioners ◽  
Mentally Disordered ◽  
Mental Health Legislation ◽  
Localized Patterns ◽  
Level Of Understanding ◽  
Health Legislation

There has been increasing concern recently over an apparent lack of knowledge of mental health law among psychiatrists and other medical practitioners involved in its use. This has been particularly highlighted by the introduction of new and complex legislation intended to facilitate care in the community. As a result of findings from previous studies of other groups of medical practitioners in Scotland, a national survey of consultant psychiatrists working there was undertaken to determine their level of understanding of the statutory provision for the care of the mentally disordered. A purpose-designed instrument was used at interview with 72 consultants chosen at random from all psychiatric specialties. Their knowledge of even the most basic definitions and fundamental areas was limited, with only just over half being able to give the correct title of one relevant piece of legislation and only one in 10 being able to define mental disorder in terms of the Act. Otherwise knowledge was generally patchy. Greater emphasis should be placed upon training in mental health law for consultant psychiatrists in general, as the findings are unlikely to reflect purely localized patterns. Attitudes to the use of compulsory measures also need to be addressed.

scholarly journals Australia's mental health legislation

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 38-40
Author(s):  
Kenneth C. Kirkby ◽  
Scott Henderson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
Health Law ◽  
International Treaty ◽  
Mental Health Law ◽  
Mental Health Act ◽  
International Trends ◽  
Strong Emphasis ◽  
Mental Health Legislation ◽  
Health Legislation

Australia has a generally progressive approach to mental health law, reflective of international trends in human rights. Responsibility for most legislation is vested in the six States and two Territories, a total of eight jurisdictions, such that at any given time several new mental health acts are in preparation. In addition there is a model mental health act that promotes common standards. Transfer of orders between jurisdictions relies on Memoranda of Understanding between them, and is patchy. State and Territory legislation is generally cognisant of international treaty obligations, which are themselves the preserve of the Federal Parliament and legislature. UK legislation has had a key influence in Australia, the 1959 Mental Health Act in particular, with its strong emphasis on voluntary hospitalisation, prefacing deinstitutionalisation.

scholarly journals Mental health legislation in Chile

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 90-92
Author(s):  
Andrea Bahamondes ◽  
Alvaro Barrera ◽  
Jorge Calderón ◽  
Martin Cordero ◽  
Héctor Duque
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Criminal Code ◽  
Standards Of Care ◽  
Health Law ◽  
Mental Health Law ◽  
Mental Health Legislation ◽  
Health Legislation ◽  
The 19Th Century

Chile does not have a mental health law or act, and no single legal body protecting those deemed to be afflicted by a mental disorder, setting standards of care and protecting and promoting their rights. Instead, pieces of mental health legislation are scattered about in different legal and administrative documents, including the country's Constitution, Health Code, Criminal Code and Civil Code. Remarkably, mental health legislation was the object of virtually no change or amendment from the middle of the 19th century until the year 2001. New pieces of legislation have been issued since but, despite improvements in the protection of people suffering from a mental illness, a mental health law in Chile is still needed.

scholarly journals Mental health law under review: messages from English safeguarding adults reviews

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-64
Author(s):  
Jill Manthorpe ◽  
Stephen Martineau
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Mental Capacity ◽  
Health Law ◽  
Mental Health Law ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mental Health Legislation ◽  
Mental Capacity Act ◽  
Health Legislation ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine safeguarding adults reviews (SARs) that refer to mental health legislation in order to contribute to the review of English mental health law (2018). Design/methodology/approach Searches of a variety of sources were conducted to compile a list of relevant SARs. These are summarised and their contexts assessed for what they reveal about the use and coherence of mental health legislation. Findings The interaction of the statutes under consideration, in particular the Mental Health Act (MHA) 1983, the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005, together with the Care Act 2014, presents challenges to practitioners and the efficacy of their application is variable. Research limitations/implications In light of the absence of a duty to report SARs to a national register, it is possible that relevant SARs were missed in the search phase of this research, meaning that the results do not present a complete picture. Practical implications Examining cases where use of legislative provisions in mental health has been found wanting or legislation may not be easily implemented may inform initiatives to increase understanding of the law in this area. Originality/value This paper’s originality and value lie in its focus on mental health legislation as discussed in SARs at a time when both the MHA 1983 and the MCA 2005 are the focus of attention for reform.

scholarly journals Developing a capacity test for compulsion in mental health law

2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (15) ◽  
pp. 72
Author(s):  
Chris Heginbotham ◽  
Mat Kinton
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Capacity ◽  
Health Law ◽  
Mental Health Law ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
House Of Lords ◽  
Mental Health Legislation ◽  
The Commons ◽  
The Government ◽  
Health Legislation

<p>Concepts of mental capacity are taking on an increased importance in the mental health law of the United Kingdom. For England and Wales, the proposal to introduce a threshold requirement of ‘impaired decision-making’ into the criteria for detention under sections 2 and 3 of the Mental Health Act 1983 was the first amendment to be voted upon in the House of Lords’ reading of the Mental Health Bill. Despite its emphatic (and whipped) resistance to this amendment, Government lost the vote by a wide margin, although it seems possible, at the time of writing, that the Government will seek to overturn their defeat in the Commons.</p><p>It is therefore timely to re-examine the role of such capacity tests in mental health legislation dealing with detention and treatment. This paper describes as yet unresolved definitional questions that must be encountered when concepts of mental capacity operate as a threshold for coercive psychiatric detention and/or treatment.</p>

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