Mental Health Act Flashcards
MHA - section 4 definition of mental illness
a condition that impairs temporarily or permanently the mental functioning of a person with any one of more of the following symptoms:
- delusions, hallucinations, serious disorder of thought form, disturbance of mood
Common mental illness police encounter
Depression
Bipolar
Schizophrenia
Personality disorders
Drug induced psychosis
MHA - Section 14
Mentally ill persons
- person is mentally ill if they’re suffering from mental illness
MHA - Section 15
Mentally disordered persons
- person (whether or not is suffering from mental illness) is a mentally disordered person if behavior is so irrational to justify a conclusion that treatment is necessary for their protection and others.
MHA - Section 19
Person taken to hospital for mental health assessment upon mental health practitioner’s orders
MHA - section 20
ambulance officer believes its necessary to take someone for mental health assessment
MHA - section 22
Detention after apprehension by police
- A police officer may apprehend a person who is either mentally ill or disturbed to take to a mental health facility if believe on reasonable grounds
- is or has recently committed an offense
- has recently tried to kill themselves or someone else or it is probable they will
- attempt cause serious injury to themselves or someone else
It is better to deal with under MHA rather then the law. (beneficial for their welfare)
NOT ARRESTED, THEY ARE DETAINED
MHA section 81
Transport of persons to and from mental health facilities
(1) - NSW health service, Ambulance, and police can transport mental health patients
(2) - use reasonable force and restrain if necessary
(3) - ambulance can sedate them
(4) power to conduct frisk or ordinary search
(5) seize things found on search
four things you should include in s22 narrative
1 - tell the story, include the history
2 - what did they say? use quotes
3 - what part of s22 you used to detain
4 - what is the risk
First responder VKG situation and resource update (LCAN)
Location - exact LOC or where you are heading
Condition - the current situation
Actions - what you have done or planning on doing
Needs - what resources you will need
Police De-escalation strategies
DTC and LPR
DTC = Distance/time/communication
LPR = listen/pause/respond
Mental health assessment acronym STATE
Signs and symptoms - indicating abnormal state of mental health
Thoughts - indicate delusions,
hallucinations, suicidal ideas, or illogical thinking
Appearance - of the patient
Threats or acts - by the patient that may be harmful to self or others
Emotions - of the patient indicate sadness, distress, anger etc
Suicide Risk Assessment acronym THREAT
Thinking of suicide
History of previous suicide attempts
Reasons and circumstances
Emotionally depressed
Access to lethal means
Tactics and plans
