Review of the Mental Health Act 2001 against Human Rights standards

WHY?

The Mental Health Act 2001 was introduced to ensure Irish law met the standards set by the European Convention on Human Rights.

The Act covers the detention and treatment of people with mental health problems who are in in-patient facilities against their will. It also established the Mental Health Commission and the Mental Health Inspectorate – effectively a watchdog for mental health services in Ireland.

The Government has stated that it will carry out a review of the Act by November 2011. The new Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is an important opportunity to conduct this review against human rights standards.

WHAT?

Amnesty International Ireland will be lobbying the Government to ensure this happens.

It will seek support for this demand from other NGOs and mental health organisations.

RESOURCES

• Submission to the Department of Health and Children in relation to the Private Members Bill 2008 re: Involuntary Treatment [Mar 2010]
• Submission to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform on the Scheme of the Mental Capacity Bill 2008 [Dec 2009]
• Decision-making capacity in mental health: Exploratory research into the views of people with personal experience [Dec 2009]