Mental health

The compulsory assessment and treatment system

What this chapter covers

• Overview of the mental health laws
  Overview of the mental health laws including the key principles, terms and people
• The compulsory assessment process
  The process to have someone assessed under the Mental Health Act (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) including how to apply and assessment examinations
• Compulsory treatment orders
  How to apply, information about hearings and what the order means
• The role of family/whānau in compulsory assessment and treatment
  What involvement family/whānau can have in your mental health treatment
• Your rights as a mental health patient
  Your rights under the Mental Health Act, the Bill of Rights, the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumer Rights and how to make a complaint
• Reviews and appeals
  Reviews and appeals of decisions made during the assessment and treatment process
• Other resources
  Where to get more information

For information about laws that protect against discrimination on the grounds of mental illness and other impairments, see the chapter “Disability rights”.