Duncan encourages comment on mental health reform

Author: Wendy Duncan
Published on: 25-January-2012

The Hon Wendy Duncan MLC, Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region, is encouraging people in their local communities to provide comment on the government’s draft of the new Mental Health Act. th March 2012.

The Mental Health Act is the act of parliament that details the circumstances under which people can be detained and treated without their consent, whilst preserving as many rights of involuntary patients as possible. It also provides offences for serious breach of the Act and creates opportunities to have an involuntary status reviewed and/or to make a complaint about psychiatric diagnosis and treatment.

"Many people in our communities have first-hand experience in the field of Mental Health, whether work related or through personal experiences," said Ms Duncan.

"This is an important opportunity for these people as well as the wider community to provide comment about whether or not it is an improvement on the old Act or if anything else should be removed or added."

The draft Act can be found at http://www.mentalhealth.wa.gov.au/Libraries/pdf_docs/Discussion_Draft_for_Mental_Healt h_Bill_2011_v3.sflb.ashx

Ms Duncan said that comments can be made in the following formats:-

· By emailing the Mental Health Commission at contactus@mentalhealth.wa.gov.au

· By mailing your comments to GPO Box X2299, Perth Business Centre, WA, 6847

· By attending one of the consultation forums, for which details are found at

http://www.mentalhealth.wa.gov.au/Homepage.aspx

The comment period closes at 5.00pm on Friday the 9th March 2012.

ends