Frank Browne: Mental Health Act changes may have negative consequences

An Expert Group’s report has suggested a self-choice rights change to the Mental Health Act. But Frank Browne warns against a rush to such a position as some mental health issues do not offer patients an insight into their own mental disorder

Most people who experience mental illness will be treated within GP-lead primary care teams, or access community-based counselling services. Only a small percentage are ever treated within a psychiatric inpatient unit and an even smaller number are admitted involuntarily under the Mental Health Act. File photo

THE Department of Health is finalising submissions in relation to an Expert Group report regarding the current Mental Health Act 2001.

The Expert Group was clear that a substantial shift away from what it referred to as a ‘paternalistic interpretation’ of the existing mental health legislation by the courts is required in order to comply with the European Convention on Human Rights and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.