I have been treated under the present Mental Health Act. Like the vast majority of psychiatric patients I have never posed a danger to other people but I was hospitalised and treated against my will because in the opinions of others I was not looking after myself and was vulnerable. People who were complete strangers to me, who knew very little about the circumstances leading up to my 'illness' and didn’t take much trouble to find out about them assumed responsibility for making decisions which could have had serious consequences for the rest of my life. For example, the decision to force me to take mind-altering drugs which are habit-forming and have well-documented and severe adverse effects, often including permanent damage.

Compulsory treatment might possibly be justified if it could be proved that it works in the best interests of the vulnerable people subjected to it. There is no such proof. In fact there is evidence to the contrary. In my case I realised that psychiatric interventions (however well-meant) were actively harmful to me. I was able to refuse further treatment and look for alternatives which were genuinely helpful. This has not been easy. Under the proposed new Mental Health Act it will be far more difficult for others to make that choice.

Vivien

The personality disorder provisions allow too much discretion to professionals to waste money and lock up people who shouldn't be locked up.

Bob Axford

There's so much in this bill that scares me it's hard to no where to begin. When the government decided to update the current Mental Health Act they had to opportunity to provide basic rights to treatment, assessment and dignity for service users, instead they chose to do the opposite and go with the sensationalist media's cries to protect the public and lock up the mad person. The fact is the public is less at risk from, say, a schizophrenic than someone tanked up on 12 pints of beer - the statistics prove that.

Increasing compulsion is likely to wreck any chances of a trusting relationship with mental health professionals - it's already tenuous, but if 'sectioning' and 'compulsive treatment' are increased it'll be difficult for us to be honest about how we're feeling. It may even stop us going for help at all (or until things get so bad help is forced upon us).

What we need is approachable services that don't just react to crisis, but help us avoid them. One that listens to us, and acknowledges that the medical model (ie. medication) isn't for everyone and supports us in finding alternatives. Basically one that respects our rights as human beings. This one is just going to make the existing problems worse.

Rachel Studley http://www.madnotbad.co.uk
Reach the full version of Rachel's experiences and opinions click HERE

I'm on the road to recovery because I was able to make a choice regarding my own treatment. In this, I am extremely fortunate. Sadly, many people caught up in the mental health system are not allowed this kind of choice. However, rather than trying to rectify this situation, the government intends to increase compulsion and restrict choice further by extending it's `non compliance is not an option' philosophy. Under community treatment orders for example, many patients will be told what treatment they MUST receive, even outside of the hospital environment and regardless of their state of mind. I believe that compulsory medication is wrong under any circumstances, and have great concerns as to what effect this further compulsion could have on many of my friends, colleagues and also myself.

By proposing compulsory treatment orders, long term confinement and other restrictive policies, the government is acting to reduce the influence of patient opinion and rescind further the rights of people diagnosed with mental illness.

A great number of people have already been damaged by compulsive and depersonalising psychiatric services. How can this situation be improved by introducing legislation which seeks to weigh the law even further against people who have been diagnosed with mental health problems? Judged by any practical, moral or humanitarian standards, it simply does not make sense.

Symon Price. (Website; http://www.btinternet.com/~symon.price)
Read the full version of Symon's experiences in the mental health system HERE