Making sense of sectioning
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Making sense of sectioning - a guide to what it means to be sectioned for a mental health problem and what your rights are.
There are lots of different types of section. Each are used for different situations.
They are normally referred to by their numbers but essentially, if you are 'sectioned' or ‘put on section’ you are kept in hospital and can be given treatment without your agreement.
Taking away someone's rights like this should never be done lightly. That's why there is a law, called the Mental Health Act which sets out strict rules to make sure that it is only done if it is completely necessary.
It is the different parts of this law, or the 'sections' which is where the term 'sectioning' comes from.
There is also a code which tells professionals how they should protect you and your rights when you are being considered for, and while you are under section.
When you have a mental health problem, being 'sectioned' might be one of the scariest things to think about.
That's because being kept in hospital against your will is scary and can feel more like a punishment than a way of treating a mental health problem.
It is important to remember though, that sectioning should be the last resort.
For example, if you're worried about going to your GP about having a low mood, it is very unlikely this will lead to being sectioned.
Your GP will offer things like medication, talking treatments or community support services which you can do whilst carrying on with your normal life.
To be sectioned, someone - such as your GP, psychiatrist, or a member of your family - must let your local social services or community mental health team know they are worried about you.
They will arrange an assessment to decide if you need to be sectioned if:
• You need to be assessed and treated for your mental health problem urgently
• Your health could be at serious risk of getting worse if you do not get treatment quickly
• Your safety or someone else’s safety is at serious risk
• Or your doctor thinks you need to be assessed and treated in hospital
For most types of section there has to be 3 people, including a medical practitioner, a Section 12 approved doctor (usually a psychiatrist) and an approved mental health professional.
They must consider whether there is any other way of getting you the treatment you need. Only if there is not, should you be sectioned.
During this assessment you have a right to ask questions and express your views.
Or if this is something you find difficult you can also ask for a friend, a family member or a professional advocate to help you, although this might not always be possible.
If the assessors decide that you need to be sectioned then they need to make sure that the hospital is suitable and that there is a hospital bed there for you.
How long you have to stay in hospital will depend on which section you are under. You are entitled to written info on this once you are on the ward.
Even though you may not be able to leave the hospital or make decisions about your care, you don’t lose all your rights. You are still entitled to:
access to copies of your sectioning paperwork..
…telephone access,
… and access to an independent mental health advocate to help you express your views
You also have a right to complain about your care or to appeal your section and get in touch with your solicitor.
These are the rights that you should have. Unfortunately, Mind hears from lots of people who aren't treated in this way.
If you think your rights have been breached, or want to talk to someone about making a complaint our Infoline can help.
You can also find out more about sectioning and what your rights are if it happens to you, on the Mind website.
Пікірлер: 29
At times it does more harm and your at the mercy of dangerous people. Especially misdiagnosed.
you do lose all your rights, they just put in some pretty words to make it sound like you have a say in the matter. Sectioning is hell on earth. They can't put the effort in the help you recover outside 'looney prison', so they lock you up instead.
@marti5420
6 жыл бұрын
Aimée Flaherty this gal gets it. Imagine losing an arm and being placed in prison for it.
@BigBoy-ds5nn
5 жыл бұрын
Yeah she has a point at least.
i have seen mental illness to the complete destruction of a loved ones life ...very sad ......they gave her invaga...depicote... and it almost killed her...she still gets a shot every month...but she seems to be in touch with reality now....in fact quit normal thank God ....she stayed in the hospital for a couple of months..very sad to see your loved one in a delusional state of mind....Thank you for the info....
As one who has been sectioned around fifty or more times over the last forty years, l have only one thing to say, stop creating mental illness in healthy people by prescribing them psychotropic drugs, which create and exacerbate the problems in the first place, but l do think that people who are genuinely unwell and a danger in some way need to go to a safe place for a while, but unfortunately what passes now as hospitals are so horrible with unfriendly staff who don't care,that it becomes a traumatic and tortuous event for the patient.
You do lose all your rights, its that simple. also getting information about sectio ing after you're locked away and not before, is barbaric and unnecessary trauma at the very best, talk about keeping someone uninformed. Anyone who has anyone else sectioned should be ashamed of themself and placed under the same conditions as they are subjecting others too.
@MindMentalHealthCharity
6 жыл бұрын
Hi Martin, it sounds like you had a really bad experience, which I am so sorry to hear. Do you like you're in a better situation now? Take care, Cora
@brendarose8338
5 жыл бұрын
i genuinley thought the pyschiatric hospital i was going to for assessment was an isis camp. Kept me locked in, horrid place
@MindMentalHealthCharity
5 жыл бұрын
Hi Rosie, that sounds really scary, sorry that you had to go through that. Do you feel ok now? Take care, Cora at Mind
@brendarose8338
5 жыл бұрын
@@MindMentalHealthCharity the whole hospital was a joke. Felt like they're were just playing with my head. I still feel skeptical of how I was on the ward.
Depends on the condition
I'm under 16 and have alot of shit going on my school had recently found out about my self harming and they already know about my anxiety hypervigalince and depression and that's just the tip of the iceberg. Would or could I be sectioned for self harming and suicidal thoughts and tendancies without my parents consent?
@MindMentalHealthCharity
4 жыл бұрын
Hi Chloe, sorry to hear that there's been so much going on for you, it sounds like you've been having a really difficult time. It may be helpful for you to talk through some of what's been happening with a Childline counsellor? You can call them on 0800 1111 for free, or visit their website childline.org.uk to find out more. Young Minds have a guide on sectioning that may be helpful to answer your question > youngminds.org.uk/find-help/your-guide-to-support/your-guide-to-inpatient-care/frequently-asked-questions-about-inpatient-care/ Take care, Cora at Mind
This should be illegal. It’s in humane and strips away your human dignity.
If I'm an informal patient, placed in a low secure unit where there is signs saying I can leave any time I wish, would I be allowed out? I'm under 16.
@MindMentalHealthCharity
5 жыл бұрын
Hi Charlie It might be possible for you to be allowed out, but we don’t know enough about your situation to be able to know for sure. This FAQ may be helpful to you, there is some information about being an informal patient under 16 > bit.ly/2MaLYJI You could also try talking to one of the healthcare professionals on the ward about the posters you've seen, and they might be able to give you some more information too. Take care, Cora at Mind
@charlieknibbs6203
5 жыл бұрын
Mind, the mental health charity Thank you so much for your support. I'll be sure to look in to my rights and such. All the best
Question.....could a us citizen be sectioned??? The situation: a us citizen is in london on a summer trip/vacation, this person also is a self harmer...on day 5 of 9 this person self harms and overdoses on asprin, after a ambulance trip to the ED/ER and a few talks with nurses and doctors, the cuts are treated, and the overdose is also treated, but the person admits to being suicidal, hospital staff wants the person to stay for a few days, but the patient give a flat out NO!!! The person is a clear danger to self, and is suicidal....could this happen???? A American or any foreign national be sectioned??? And could they call up there local embassy for legal help???
@MindMentalHealthCharity
7 жыл бұрын
Hi there, I'm afraid I don't know the answer to your question myself. But our legal team will be able to help. You can email them at legal@mind.org.uk or give them a call on 0300 466 6463, they are open 11-2 each day. I hope they canhelp, take care, Ellie from Mind
@FreeThePorgs
7 жыл бұрын
Ok thanks!!
Dont think all times
@aimeethomson7806
5 жыл бұрын
Therefore understanding the system commenst
@aimeethomson7806
5 жыл бұрын
....governmental bodies..