Latest news on New Mental Health Act
ferganoid | 15.07.2002 13:20
“Mental disorder” is defined as “any disability or disorder of mind or brain which results in impairment or disturbance of mental functioning.” In contrast to the current act, there are no specific exclusion criteria. The broad definition of mental disorder not only means that dangerous people with severe personality disorder are included, but it also raises the possibility of compulsory treatment for sexual deviancy and dependence on alcohol or drugs.
The draft bill makes provision for treatment without consent. The explanatory notes state that although such treatment does breach the physical integrity, the government’s view is that it can be justified under the European Convention on Human Rights Article 8(2) on the basis that the interference is in accordance with the law, is proportionate, and is in the interests of public safety or to protect health or moral standards.12 As a psychiatrist I am prepared to make judgments about a patient’s health and the safety of others, but not moral standards.
ferganoid
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DSPS Order Bill
15.07.2002 13:49
Luke Birmingham senior lecturer in forensic psychiatry
University of Southampton, Community Clinical Sciences Research
ferganoid
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ferganoid@yahoo.co.uk
The pretext of Mental Health will be used
15.07.2002 17:34
In truth, though, wont a lot of people be feeling the strain for real under the hoax 'togetherness' we're all obliged to believe in After all, as W H Whyte remarks, "The striving for normality is one of the chief causes of neuroses" (see "The Organization Man")
W S Derfty