The Mental Health Act’s (1992) being and purpose is in place as a consequence of New Zealands long history. The Act’s role of compulsory care and restoration of the patient’s rights are significant changes from the previous stigma around mental health. These changes can be summarised as humanitarian concerns and emphasizing human rights. Dating back to the 19th century New Zealand’s ideas and systems surrounding mental health have always been primarily influenced by Europe. In these early years, mental health was stigmatised as a disease resulting in very unethical responses. Having no care or treatment available for the mentally ill, prison became the only option for very problematic family members. Socially, mentally ill people were outcasts.
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Humanitarian concerns evident in the act today have come from awareness over the treatment of patients 200 years ago. Human rights that are written in the new act have also been constructed from a reduced stigma over time about mental illnesses. Community care has also developed from previous legislations. From the late 80’s, having community involvement in institutions has been important, including development of organizations such as the Mental health foundation in 1977. The increasing encouragement of community care shows the positive influence it has always …show more content…
The Act defines a mental disorder as an abnormal state of mind that poses a threat to the health or safety of the person or others. The act intends to achieve cover for a situation where a mentally ill person needs treatment but does not consent to it. Patient’s under the law of this act may lose their rights to refuse help and may even be held in detention. The act acknowledges that relying on the mentally ill’s own voluntary admission may be dangerous to society. Therefore the act works to ensure assessment and treatment is achieved in a safe and as little restricting approach as
Humanitarian concerns evident in the act today have come from awareness over the treatment of patients 200 years ago. Human rights that are written in the new act have also been constructed from a reduced stigma over time about mental illnesses. Community care has also developed from previous legislations. From the late 80’s, having community involvement in institutions has been important, including development of organizations such as the Mental health foundation in 1977. The increasing encouragement of community care shows the positive influence it has always …show more content…
The Act defines a mental disorder as an abnormal state of mind that poses a threat to the health or safety of the person or others. The act intends to achieve cover for a situation where a mentally ill person needs treatment but does not consent to it. Patient’s under the law of this act may lose their rights to refuse help and may even be held in detention. The act acknowledges that relying on the mentally ill’s own voluntary admission may be dangerous to society. Therefore the act works to ensure assessment and treatment is achieved in a safe and as little restricting approach as