This part of the act links back to what I was saying earlier about having two opinions on an individual’s condition, because it is a sensitive and very personal subject, there are very strict rules about documentation of what is said and what treatment that person will receive, in these written files a medical practitioner and the patient both have to sign it or someone on that individual’s behalf can sign it, this is to stop discrimination in any way so that medical professionals cannot be accused of acting in a discriminatory way.
The mental health act 2007 was brought into place in parliament and the House of Commons November 2006 and was given royal assent in July 2007. This was to keep the old act in enactment and to renew certain parts of it such as ‘care’, ‘treatment’ and the processes that take place in detaining a person in a hospital for their own safety.
I have selected a bit of information from
This information is just an example of why the act has been updated and what chapters, articles ect have been updated.
The aim of the 2007 act is to give people more choice in life, to receive fair and equal opportunities, so that they can lead a healthy lifestyle and good life with a career ect.
I am now going to explain why there are new amendments to the act my information comes from:
The majority of the act is about extending it, with extra details on treatment and mental procedures and putting the act into action in other parts of the UK, these places include Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and I have placed an example in place.
Article 2 provides that generally this Order extends to England and Wales only. Article 4 also extends to Scotland and Northern Ireland. Article 17 extends to Scotland only. Article 20 also extends to Northern Ireland.
This section of the new act is all about amendments and changes in other parts of the UK due to their laws and regulations.
I have looked at Article four of the 2007 act underneath you will find it and then I am going to explain how this stops or prevents anti discriminatory practice:
Article 4 repeals the term “mental impairment” from the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, as this term is no longer used in the 1983 Act. The term “mental disorder” is now used instead. Article 5 amends section 63L of the Family Law Act 1996 on the same basis.
This part of the act appeals to me because of the phrases and language they have used to change the fact that it could come across as discrimination. Impairment means having an ‘abnormality’ which could come across as offensive to those who suffer with psychological disorders, because it may get them seen as lesser and they would be more likely to be open to prejudice thoughts, the word impairment is stigmatised often by society and seen as that, that person cannot do something or lead a normal life or have a happy and healthy lifestyles, but what are we as society to say what is normal? (Within reason of course) In recent years the government has campaigned through the use of radio and posters to share the fact that there is nothing wrong with having a psychological disorder and that these people should not be casted out of society, the new phrase is ‘mental disorder’ although there has been some controversial thoughts and feelings about that term as well, because yet again it leaves those with problems open to marginalisation and prejudice thoughts, and some of these people with disorders have some of the most amazing talents and skills needed in jobs and everyday life, but society has been taught different.
I have looked at the impact of the act and looked at a number of different ways at how the act promotes anti discriminatory practice and how is has a positive and negative effects on society.
I have sourced my information from:
The main changes to the 2007 act is the language and format of the act and how procedures and treatment is carried out, some examples of this would be referring to the issue as a ‘mental disorder’ the 1983 act was so complexed with ‘psychiatric disorder’ ‘mental illness’ and ‘mental impairment ’ because there were so many different definitions and it was to complexed for health professionals and patients, it has been changed to ‘mental disorder’ applying to all disabilities and disorders of the mind.
They have also created new roles in mental health areas and this allows nurses, psychologists and other health occupational workers to become something called approved mental health professional (AMHP) these people are trained in a number of different ways especially to promote anti discriminatory practice.
For children with mental health illness they go through a different process to adults and come under a different section in the mental health act. However due to financial issues with hospitals and making changes and amendments this part of the act was postponed and later on put into action April 2010.
The amendments made to the act were originally going to renew the entire 1983 act but was opposed against by members of parliament, the new amendments rid of the treatability test to allow clinicians to assess individuals properly and efficiently before providing the correct care and treatment. Although the act has been successful in some ways there have been certain issues and controversial issues on why the entire act wasn’t renewed or why it needed to be renewed. Not only that but since the act came into action in 1983 the government have failed to reach their targets on treatment, equality in society and diversity and failed to reach targets for reducing the amount of individuals suffering with mental disorders.
by
chicgeek (student)
