World Mental Health Day takes place every year on 10th October. The global event aims to raise awareness, provide support and encourage us all to try and take care of our own mental health. This year’s focus is on suicide prevention.
According to the charity MIND, it is estimated that one in four of us will experience mental health problems each year. It affects people in all walks of life and does not discriminate between age, disability, gender, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation. Some of us may never experience a mental health problem but many of us will know of someone who does.
With appropriate medical treatment and/or support, it is possible to live a normal life and manage a mental health problem in the community. Some people however, may find that they require more urgent and intensive treatment in hospital.
In certain cases, it is possible to receive medical treatment in hospital as a voluntary patient. However, where doctors consider that there is a risk to a person’s health and safety or the health and safety of others, it may be considered necessary for a person to be detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 for assessment, medical treatment or both. This is more commonly known as being sectioned.
When a person is detained in hospital against their will, it can be a very scary and stressful time. The Mental Health Act 1983 places various responsibilities on hospitals and doctors and governs when medical treatment can be provided without a person’s consent. The Mental Health Act also confers certain rights on a patient including the right to appeal against their detention.
Time limits and rules about when you can and can’t appeal, depend upon which section of the Mental Health Act you are being detained under. It is therefore important that if you do find yourself in such a situation you seek legal advice at the earliest opportunity.
We are the largest mental health team in the North of England and available to assist and advise you swiftly.
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