Sectioning system
Question
Do you have to be a certain age in order to be sectioned?
Answer
As explained by Mind, there is no lower age limit to the Mental Health Act (1983) and there are no specific provisions in the Act relating to children. Therefore, it is possible to be sectioned at any age. However, very young children are not detained under the Act, with the majority being admitted as 'informal' patients by their parents.
The Mental Health Act (1983) is essentially made up of 10 sections that are used to detain someone in hospital. The most commonly used sections are:
- section 2 (admission for assessment) for a compulsory stay of 28 days;
- section 4 (admission for assessment in cases of emergency) for compulsory stay of a maximum of 72 hours;
- section 3 (admission for treatment) patients will be detained for six months, but it can then be renewed for another six months, then for one year at a time.
There are also other sections to meet the specific demands of other situations that may occur.
It is important to remember hospital treatment does not necessarily involve compulsory detainment. Many people who receive inpatient care enter hospital on a voluntary basis, as an 'informal patient'. And generally, inpatient hospital treatment is avoided; certainly, sectioning is only used to benefit people who may be presenting a danger to themselves or others. It allows them to be professionally assessed, monitored and treated in order to stabilise their condition and promote recovery.
For further information, you may like to take a look at the Mind website. They also provide an information line, from which you can access legal advice if you have any concerns about your - or anyone else's - situation.
Alternatively, SANELINE is a national mental health helpline offering confidential emotional support and information to anyone experiencing mental health problems. They will be able to give you the time and space to talk about how you are feeling, or offer practical guidance concerning your situation, without judging you or telling you what to do. If you feel this could help, you can call them on 0845 767 8000.
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