People with mental health problems are afforded rights under the Mental Health Act. They are also protected by legislation such as the Human Rights Act and the Disability Discrimination Act. Black and ethnic minority service users are also granted legal rights by the Race Relations Act. And non-English speaking service users can expect interpretation services during their treatment. The provision of adequate mental health services is also regulated by government policy such as the Department of Health's National Service Frameworks which set national standards for health care.

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Amendments to Rule 5.1 in Section 5 of the General Civil Contract (Solicitors and Not for Profit) Specification

This Rule outlines the rights to controlled legal representation for clients entering a Mental Health Review Tribunal or an Immigration Appeal Tribunal. It can be downloaded in PDF format from the Legal Services Commission.

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BMA:

Access to Health Care for Asylum Seekers - guidance notes

2001

This BMA briefing addresses the rights of asylum seekers to health care. It recommends that on arrival in the UK asylum seekers should be provided with information in a language they understand about access to health care, social services and how to register with a doctor. Those who have experienced torture also need information about how to contact an experienced medical expert.

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Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation in South Africa:

Mental Health and Human Rights: In Search of Context, Consequence and Effective Care by Brandon Hamber & Brian Rock

This article from the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation in South Africa discusses whether violations of human rights occur as a result of institutionalisation in community care and hegemonic medical approaches to mental health.

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Community Legal Service:

Rights for people with mental health problems

Community Legal Service provides an online information leaflet on rights afforded by the Mental health Act for people with mental health problems.

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Disability Rights Commission

The Disability Rights Commission is an independent body set up by the government to help secure civil rights for disabled people.

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Dept of Health

National Service Framework for Mental Health

National Service Frameworks set national standards for health care and monitor their implementation and quality. The National Service Framework for Mental Health sets standards for mental health promotion, primary care and access to services, services for people with severe mental health problems, preventing suicide and carers. It is available on the Department of Health website.

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Liberty:

The Rights of People with Mental Disorder

Campaign group Liberty provide a guide to human rights legislation on their microsite Your Rights. It includes an overview of legal rights for people with mental health problems.

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Mind:

News, Policy and Campaigns

Mind outline the development of disability discrimination legislation in Britain and the applications of the Disability Discrimination Act. The legal unit at Mind also provide advice on the relevance of the Act to mental health.

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NIMHE:

Archive of Policy and Frameworks

The NIMHE (National Institute for Mental Health in England) website carries an archive of all government policy, law, NHS guidelines and National Service Frameworks relating to mental health in England. Most documents can be downloaded direct from the site, including the National Service Framework for Adult Mental Health, the Race Relations Act and the draft Mental Health Bill of 2002.

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Rethink:

Legal Rights

Rethink explain in detail the legal rights of people with mental health problems. From the Mental Health Act and the criminal justice system, to consent to treatment and complaints procedures.

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