Mental Health Act overlooking human rights

New research by the Mental Health Alliance urges the government to reform the Mental Health Act and take into account the views of those affected by mental illness.

Taking into account the views of over 8,000 people who use mental health services, as well as carers and professionals working in the sector, the research, A Mental Health Act fit for tomorrow found that over half of respondents do not think that people are treated with dignity and respect under the Mental Health Act.

Additionally, 72 per cent of those surveyed disagreed that the rights of people living with mental illness are protected and enforced as effectively as those for people living with a physical illness, with 86 per cent expressing feeling that it was very important that people be allowed to specify people close to them to be involved in decisions.

Furthermore, the alliance is concerned that there are parts of the Act which are out of date, such as the confusion between contacting your ‘nearest relative’, as opposed to your ‘next of kin’.

Suzanne Hudson, chair of the Mental Health Alliance, said: “The Mental Health Act is 34 years old, in which time there have been major changes in terms of the rise in mental health problems and detentions under the Act. As it stands the Mental Health Act is not fit for purpose, which is why we are urgently calling for the government to stick to its promise to review it, and take into consideration the thousands of people who voiced their concerns in this survey. In this way, together we can protect the rights and improve care for some of the most vulnerable people in the health system."