MENTAL HEALTH ACT
In most cases when people are treated in hospital or another mental health facility, they have agreed or volunteered to be there. You may be referred to as a voluntary patient. But there are cases when a person can be detained, also known as sectioned, under the Mental Health Act (1983) and treated without their agreement.
The Mental Health Act (1983) is the main piece of legislation that covers the assessment, treatment and rights of people with a mental health disorder. People detained under the Mental Health Act need urgent treatment for a mental health disorder and are at risk of harm to themselves or others.
Where to get urgent help for mental health – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Changes that the government wants to make to a law called the Mental Health Act (easy read) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)