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
• Where to go for more support
  Other information and resources

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