Consent

It’s important that we try and get consent from the person we’re worried about and involve them as much as possible in the process of seeking help.

People usually get the right to make their own decisions about treatment. However, on rare occasions when someone is a high risk to themselves and, “there is a serious danger to the person’s health and safety” they may be admitted to a service without their consent under the Mental Health Act (1992).

You can find out more about the Act on the Parliamentary Counsel Office website. 

Under these exceptional circumstances the person is considered to have a mental disorder which is defined legally as “posing a serious danger to the health or safety of that person or someone else”, or means “the person can’t take care of themselves”. 

Find out more about mandatory mental health assessments and the legal definition on the Ministry of Justice website. 

If a family member has been admitted under the Mental Health Act, you have the right to participate in, and be consulted about the assessment, treatment and care of your whanau/family member.