Hi All
My husband has try three times self-harming in April, but after the assessment from social services people, they said he is not fit in the criteria to be section and to be detained in hospital. I was so worry about his safty everyday. I ask the social services people what is the criteria to detain a mental illness person. They don't tell me.
So, I hope somebody can tell me or advice me where can I find the answer of what is the criteria to detain a mental illness patient when he is in a very unstable mood.
Thank you very much.
Criteria to detain a patient for self-harming
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by xmizzcattyx » Fri May 14, 2004 9:21 pm
a person will only be sectioned if they are a severe danger to themselves (ie true suicidal intent) or to others.
whilst all self harm is worrying, it varies in degrees of severity
whilst all self harm is worrying, it varies in degrees of severity
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by Michael Lank » Fri May 14, 2004 10:58 pm
Hi toto,
I imagine this is a challenging time for you.
I know a little about this from my previous work experience.
The law that deals with 'sectioning' is the Mental Health Act 1983, which has various powers to detain people for different lengths of time, the basic power is in Section 2 of the Act - to detain someone for up to 28 for assessment.
To be detained under Section 2 a person must have a mental illness and need to be detained for their own health and safety or to protect others.
Social Services departments across the country may vary in their determination as to who gets sectioned.
If you feel that Social Services have acted improperly or made a decision that is so bad that no reasonable authority could have made it you do have the right to take them to court - called a Judicial Review - you would need a solicitor for this, and it can be quite difficult to win a case.
However if your husband is willing to go to hospital he might be accepted as a voluntary patient - have you spoken to your doctor?
The other thing to consider is ways, other than hospital. in which your husband's wellbeing could improve, - have you considered other forms of therapy which can be very effective? - there are some very able practitioners who could assist your husband.
Best wishes
I imagine this is a challenging time for you.
I know a little about this from my previous work experience.
The law that deals with 'sectioning' is the Mental Health Act 1983, which has various powers to detain people for different lengths of time, the basic power is in Section 2 of the Act - to detain someone for up to 28 for assessment.
To be detained under Section 2 a person must have a mental illness and need to be detained for their own health and safety or to protect others.
Social Services departments across the country may vary in their determination as to who gets sectioned.
If you feel that Social Services have acted improperly or made a decision that is so bad that no reasonable authority could have made it you do have the right to take them to court - called a Judicial Review - you would need a solicitor for this, and it can be quite difficult to win a case.
However if your husband is willing to go to hospital he might be accepted as a voluntary patient - have you spoken to your doctor?
The other thing to consider is ways, other than hospital. in which your husband's wellbeing could improve, - have you considered other forms of therapy which can be very effective? - there are some very able practitioners who could assist your husband.
Best wishes
- Michael Lank
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