The National Autistic Society’s Post

𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗟𝗮𝘄 I’m excited to share that new laws introduced by Rt. Hon. Wes Streeting MP aim to bring the UK’s mental health practices “in line with the 21st century.” The current laws, which were drawn up in the 1980s, have remained largely unchanged since then. A key change in these laws will be to prevent individuals detained under the Mental Health Act from being kept in prison cells. This is a significant step forward in ensuring humane treatment for all. Moreover, it’s been argued that the current laws are discriminatory, with statistics showing that black people and individuals with learning difficulties are significantly more likely to be detained. Addressing these disparities is crucial for a fairer system. Mental health charity Mind has welcomed these changes, stating they bring the UK a “step closer to a more progressive mental health system.” However, they also emphasize that to truly stave off the “mental health emergency,” significantly more funding will be required. Do these changes go far enough? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this important issue. 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘄! https://lnkd.in/eEtCwG8d

Bipolar UK are doing a survey to collate information from those living with bipolar to feedback to government regarding the proposed Mental Health Act reform. Please complete this short survey if you have bipolar and live in the UK. https://lnkd.in/eXXBHQzp I hadn't heard of some of the terminology and will definitely be looking into this further to see how any proposed changes may impact me. They seem broadly positive changes proposed, but with any legislation there can easily be minority perspectives missed if those minorities are not proactive or actively consulted as part of the legislative process. #Bipolar #MentalHealthActReform #MentalHealth #Detention #NominatedPerson #RacialInequalities

Pleased to see from today's King's Speech that the Mental Health Bill is back on the agenda with long awaited plans to modernise the 1983 Mental Health Act at the forefront once more. It is understood the Bill will be similar to the previous draft. The plans include: - updating detention criteria, ensuring people can only be detained if they pose a risk of serious harm to themselves or others and where there is a reasonable prospect treatment would have a therapeutic benefit; shortening the initial detention maximum of 6 months; providing faster and more frequent reviews and appeals on detention and treatment; limiting the extent people with a learning disability and/or autistic people can be detained and treated under the Act; replacing the nearest relative role with a nominated person generally chosen by the patient; strengthening the voice of patients by adding statutory weight to their rights to be involved with planning for their care, and to make choices and refusals regarding treatment; extending access to independent mental health advocates to informal patients and supporting offenders with severe mental health problems to access the care they need as quickly and early as possible, and improve the management of those patients subject to a restriction order (for public protection). The changes will be introduced in phases and we will wait to see what the final Act looks like and when everything is to be introduced. Kennedys #medicallaw

The deprivation of liberty refers to restricting or removing an individual's freedom of movement and personal autonomy. It can occur in various contexts, such as imprisonment, detention, or involuntary confinement in a medical or psychiatric facility. Deprivation of liberty is a serious matter and is often subject to legal and human rights considerations to ensure that it is justified, necessary, and proportionate to the circumstances. It's a fundamental issue in human rights law and is protected under international conventions and domestic laws. In mental health, deprivation of liberty refers to situations where individuals are involuntarily confined or restricted in their movements due to their mental health condition. This can include involuntary hospitalization in psychiatric facilities, enforced treatment regimes, or placement in secure units against their will. The process varies by jurisdiction, but generally, legal frameworks regulate the deprivation of liberty in mental health settings. These frameworks often require a formal assessment of the individual's mental health condition and a determination that they pose a risk to themselves or others before liberty deprivation can be authorized. However, important ethical and legal considerations surround the deprivation of liberty in mental health care, including the need to balance individual autonomy with the duty to protect individuals from harm. Safeguards such as regular reviews of the individual's treatment and periodic assessments of their capacity to make decisions are typically built into these frameworks to ensure that the deprivation of liberty is necessary and proportionate to the individual's circumstances. #mentalhealth #wellness

Navigating the intersection of the criminal justice system and mental health can be complex. Keep in mind that each case is unique, and this information serves as a general guide. Police Contact: When police encounter someone in a mental health crisis, they decide whether to warn, arrest, or charge based on the offense’s seriousness and public safety. Pre-charge diversion programs in the community may be an option. Arrest/Charge by Police: Police decide whether to charge or arrest based on the crime’s severity and public safety. If safety concerns can’t be addressed at the scene, the individual may be taken into custody. Bail Hearing: The court decides whether to release the individual until their first court appearance. Bail programs offer alternatives to pre-trial custody, providing supervision, counseling, and support. Court Appearance: The individual receives disclosure (Crown’s case) and may consider Mental Health Court if relevant. Trial: The trial process unfolds, considering mental health issues if applicable. Disposition: Possible outcomes include conditional discharge, detention, or community support. Remember, consult legal professionals for personalized advice. For more details, visit the Canadian Mental Health Association’s

Informational read written by Mariah Taylor, mental health is embedded into our communities, it’s good to know as healthcare leaders to be well rounded of what’s going one with legislation, healthcare and safety. California may extend the detention of those with severe mental illness who commit violent crimes from 5 to 30 days in state mental hospitals for treatment and transition back to the community. Proposed bill addresses safety concerns after incidents of premature release. #CaliforniaLaw #MentalHealth #PublicSafety #TreatmentPlans #ViolentCrimes #CommunityWellBeing #Legislation #MentalIllness #StateMentalHospitals #BillProposal #JusticeSystem

Excited to be part of an important conversation with my colleagues about Strategies for Reducing Solitary Confinement of Seriously Mentally Ill Patients. This discussion will focus on collaborative efforts between mental health professionals and law enforcement to address the mental health crisis in jails and reduce the overrepresentation of seriously mentally ill individuals in solitary confinement. We'll be exploring: ~The historical context and psychological impact of solitary confinement on individuals with serious mental illness. ~Practical solutions, including alternative housing and treatment options. ~How cross-disciplinary collaboration can enhance rehabilitation and improve overall well-being for those in correctional settings. If you're interested in joining the conversation, you can learn more and register for the conference here: https://lnkd.in/eDpiMjmy Looking forward to sharing insights and learning from others committed to improving care in this challenging environment. #MentalHealth #CorrectionalHealth #Collaboration #Rehabilitation #SolitaryConfinement #CriminalJusticeReform

The National Justice Project is leading an Australian campaign to advocate for appropriate first responders instead of police attending to people in a health or social crisis, especially those related to mental health. The human rights legal service is meeting with community stakeholders next week to help develop a campaign for more effective responses when people call Triple Zero (000) for mental and social support. Read more: https://hubs.ly/Q02NyqKS0 #emergencymanagement #disastermanagement #demc #em #emergencyplanning #incidentmanagement #firstresponse #firstresponders

For those working in mental health or social care, understanding policy reform is critical. The below article explores how the Mental Health Bill will revise provisions and safeguards around detention and treatment in England and Wales. https://lnkd.in/ekh_StZh