Experiences of the Mental Health Act and the role of professionals involved

Key Findings:

• Several of the studies focus on the role of various professionals and staff involved in the process including police, health professionals and mental health professionals involved in the process – a consistent theme in more positive experiences of detention under the MHA is the importance of warmth, empathy, reassurance, respect and positivity of individual members of staff.
• Negative experiences include poor communication, information about treatment plans and lack of involvement in decision-making, coercion, excessive force, being made to feel like a criminal, and finding the experience disempowering, frightening, distressing and dehumanising.

This document is part of a series of 'introduction to research’ papers produced for Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust (C&I).

Other documents within the series include:

• The effectiveness of supported housing and accommodation for people with mental health problems
• The impact and effectiveness of meaningful activity for people with mental health problems
• What works to improve the social networks and prevent social isolation for people with mental health problems

C&I’s academics have a strong track record in research around social interventions for people with mental ill health. The papers do not claim to be a comprehensive account of all evidence available in this area. Instead they are provided for those who are keen to know what research already exists, where to find it and what areas might usefully be further explored.

Our thanks to Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust for agreeing to share the work.