Mental Health Acts - Perspectives from Mental Health and Law in Ireland and in Portugal.
Eur J Health Law
; 31(3): 312-335, 2024 Apr 22.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38653475
ABSTRACT
Mental health legislation is a cornerstone to ensure that individuals with severe mental illness access proper care and treatment. Each country establishes their own legislation. We aimed to compare the Portuguese and Irish Mental Health Acts (MHAs). We reviewed the respective MHA and the literature. While the definition of mental disorder is similar in general, who, where, when and how one can be detained differ. Judges decide on detentions in Portugal, while consultant psychiatrists may do so in Ireland. Community-based compulsory treatment is possible and used in Portugal while it is not possible in Ireland. Pros and cons of each approach are discussed with a reflection on the protection of human rights. Further theoretical and empirical studies comparing systems in different jurisdictions would be helpful to deepen our understanding of the legislation and guide on how to better serve individuals with severe mental illness.
Texto completo:
1
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Internamiento Obligatorio del Enfermo Mental
/
Trastornos Mentales
Límite:
Humans
País/Región como asunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Eur J Health Law
/
Eur. j. health law
/
European journal of health law
Asunto de la revista:
JURISPRUDENCIA
/
SAUDE PUBLICA
Año:
2024
Tipo del documento:
Article