Discussion Changes to MHA

[Anon2662]

Anyone else seen the UKs temporary changes to the MHA? I came across it by accident on fb.. We've now got even less rights and I find it quite disturbing especially thinking back to previous experiences.. they need less people to section someone, can hold them for longer and can treat without consent for longer without having to seek a second opinion.. :( I understand these are unprecedented times but it still sucks in my opinion.. stay safe people..

NHS Guidance on temporary changes to the Mental Health Act due to coronavirus

Because of the coronavirus crisis, professionals might have to change the way they use the Mental Health Act - this guide explains these changes.

www.rethink.org

 

[Walilamdzi]

I've had very negative experiences with mental health services here in England, too. But my experience is that even with 3, once you're being assessed they will pretty much just section you. Being sectioned has destroyed all the hope and optimism I had in my life and is definitely the worst experience imaginable. I think it's awful to only have one person. I didn't realise they could hold people for longer now though? Terrible news.

 

[Anon2662]

I've had very negative experiences with mental health services here in England, too. But my experience is that even with 3, once you're being assessed they will pretty much just section you. Being sectioned has destroyed all the hope and optimism I had in my life and is definitely the worst experience imaginable. I think it's awful to only have one person. I didn't realise they could hold people for longer now though? Terrible news.

For me it really depends who is assessing me. There are certain people who make their mind up before they've even seen me. I once managed to convince a Social worker that it was all a 'misunderstanding' and after when I was waiting for a lift home, she came out and on her way to the car came and told me to be careful because next time I would be sectioned again. She told me that the psychiatrist (who I have issues with) told her before they came in to assess me that I would 'need to be sectioned' she'd made her mind up before even seeing me. Luckily that day I had that social worker who didn't know me who I managed to persuade. I've not always been that lucky.. I hate to think of being assessed by one person for this very reason..

 

[Slow85]

I work in mental health and I have been sectioned numerous times.
I have found the AMPs generally to be okay? And also found with my work that often we would like a patient to be detained but they don't agree and they are not .
The new corona rules whilst I can understand from the way of not wanting to be detained or restricted but there are times when a person does need to be due to mental health - and the waiting time would be ridiculous due to current climate, for an assessment .
I can see the pros and cons in both