MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING RESOURCE
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Mental health rights
People with mental health problems are afforded rights under the Mental Health Act. They are also protected by legislation such as the Human Rights Act and the Disability Discrimination Act. Black and ethnic minority service users are also granted legal rights by the Race Relations Act. And non-English speaking service users can expect interpretation services during their treatment. The provision of adequate mental health services is also regulated by government policy such as the Department of Health's National Service Frameworks which set national standards for health care.
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11 Items
2001
This BMA briefing addresses the rights of asylum seekers to health care. It recommends that on arrival in the UK asylum seekers should be provided with information in a language they understand about access to health care, social services and how to register with a doctor. Those who have experienced torture also need information about how to contact an experienced medical expert.
This article from the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation in South Africa discusses whether violations of human rights occur as a result of institutionalisation in community care and hegemonic medical approaches to mental health.
Community Legal Service provides an online information leaflet on rights afforded by the Mental health Act for people with mental health problems.
The Disability Rights Commission is an independent body set up by the government to help secure civil rights for disabled people.
National Service Frameworks set national standards for health care and monitor their implementation and quality. The National Service Framework for Mental Health sets standards for mental health promotion, primary care and access to services, services for people with severe mental health problems, preventing suicide and carers. It is available on the Department of Health website.
Campaign group Liberty provide a guide to human rights legislation on their microsite Your Rights. It includes an overview of legal rights for people with mental health problems.
Mind outline the development of disability discrimination legislation in Britain and the applications of the Disability Discrimination Act. The legal unit at Mind also provide advice on the relevance of the Act to mental health.
The NIMHE (National Institute for Mental Health in England) website carries an archive of all government policy, law, NHS guidelines and National Service Frameworks relating to mental health in England. Most documents can be downloaded direct from the site, including the National Service Framework for Adult Mental Health, the Race Relations Act and the draft Mental Health Bill of 2002.
Rethink explain in detail the legal rights of people with mental health problems. From the Mental Health Act and the criminal justice system, to consent to treatment and complaints procedures.
2000
PDF. This briefing looks at the ways in which the Human Rights Act may affect mental health practice in the UK. Practitioners, it says, need to be aware of the impact of their work on the rights afforded to service users and carers by the Act.
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