Government Leader Proposes Overhaul to Address Incarceration of Mentally Ill Individuals

Prime Minister Theresa May has announced plans for an independent review of mental health legislation and practice, with the aim of tackling injustices in mental health detention and improving the overall mental health system.

The review, led by Professor Sir Simon Wessely, a former President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, will examine the reasons for the disproportionate number of people from certain ethnic backgrounds, particularly black people, being detained under the Mental Health Act. People from black and minority ethnic populations are disproportionately affected by mental health detention, with black people being almost four times more likely than white people to be detained.

Sir Simon Wessely, who chaired the independent review of the Mental Health Act 1983 commissioned in October 2017, will produce an interim report with priorities in early 2018. The final report, due in autumn 2018, will contain detailed recommendations on the review's priorities.

The Mental Health Act sets out rights and obligations for state detention and treatment of individuals with mental illness. The review will look at existing practice and evidence to make recommendations for improving mental health legislation and practice in the future. It will also aim to address the increasing rates of detention and improve how different agencies respond to people in crisis.

The review will consider the needs of service users and their families to improve the system's support during a mental health crisis. It will also propose ways to reduce inappropriate detention and improve the overall mental health system.

Last year, on average, there were 180 cases a day where people were sectioned under the Mental Health Act. The review aims to tackle concerns about how the Mental Health Act is currently being used.

The review will examine the specific provisions for individuals in contact with the criminal justice system. It will also aim to address the burning injustice of mental illness and improve mental health provision.

The public can subscribe to a mental health mailing list for updates on this issue. The terms of reference for the review can be read on the review team's website. The review team can be contacted via email at [email protected] website.

The final legislative Bill amending the Act reached the House of Lords report stage by late 2024, with government responses continuing into 2024. The precise date for the ultimate completion of the Mental Health Act reform Bill is not stated, but the Labour Government planned to introduce it in its first King's Speech after the 2024 General Election.

The review is part of a broader effort to improve mental health provision and address the burning injustice of mental illness. It is a significant step towards creating a more equitable and supportive mental health system for all.

Government Leader Proposes Overhaul to Address Incarceration of Mentally Ill Individuals