Mental health law
Mental Health Law
Mental Health Law (pronunciation: /ˈmɛntəl hɛlθ lɔ:/) is a field of law that involves regulations and legal principles related to mental health care and the rights of people with mental disorders.
Etymology
The term "Mental Health Law" is derived from the English words "mental" (pertaining to the mind), "health" (a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being), and "law" (a system of rules recognized by a particular country or community).
Definition
Mental Health Law refers to the legal framework that governs the provision of mental health care and the rights of people with mental disorders. It includes laws related to involuntary commitment, consent to treatment, the right to refuse treatment, and the rights of people with mental disorders in the criminal justice system.
Related Terms
- Involuntary commitment: A legal process through which an individual with symptoms of severe mental illness is court-ordered into treatment in a hospital (inpatient) or in the community (outpatient).
- Consent to treatment: The principle that a person must give permission before they receive any type of medical treatment.
- Right to refuse treatment: The legal right of a patient to refuse the treatment or procedure recommended by his/her healthcare provider.
- Criminal justice system: The system of practices and institutions of governments directed at upholding social control, deterring and mitigating crime, or sanctioning those who violate laws with criminal penalties and rehabilitation efforts.
See Also
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