Psychiatric reform - Move mental health out of dark ages

FEW areas of Irish life are in greater need of reform than the State’s Dickensian mental health service.

Yesterday’s signing into law of new legislation setting up an independent tribunal system for patients detained against their will is long overdue.

After much delay, thousands of psychiatric patients being held in mental hospitals against their wishes, will have the right to challenge their involuntary detention. Up to now, they have been denied justice. All too often, their plight was swept under the carpet.