Mental Health Legal Definition Uk

The mental health act 1983 not to be confused with the mental capacity act is the legislation that should normally be used when a person with a mental illness refuses treatment for their mental health and this affects their health or puts them or others at risk.

Mental health legal definition uk. Learning disability means a state of arrested or incomplete development of the mind which includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning. Solicitors barristers lists law firms solicitors and barristers in england scotland and wales giving you a useful resource for finding law firms legal experts and courts near you. For legal purposes the uk s mental health act 2007 defines mental disorder succinctly and thusly. 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.

With a severe mental health condition such as schizophrenia bipolar disorder or dementia lacks the capacity to consent to the treatment of their mental health under the mental health act 1983 in these cases treatment for unrelated physical conditions still requires consent which the patient may be able to provide despite their. Mental disorder means any disorder or disability of the mind page 7 it is clear here even to the casual reader is that there is a marked circularity to this statement. Please note that law firms listed may not be valid members of the sra solicitors regulation authority and you should always check before instructing a solicitor. Mental disorder was defined in mha 1983 s1 as meaning mental illness arrested or incomplete development of mind psychopathic disorder and any other disorder or disability of mind.

Pathways into hospital which can be civil or criminal. Treatment in the community. Mental health is not just the absence of mental disorder. Mental disorder means any disorder or disability of the mind.

The mental health act mha 1983 is the law in england and wales which was updated in 2007. There were four types of mental disorder in the mental health act 1983. It tells people with mental health problems what their rights are regarding. 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.