#getting sectioned

Hey there,

I actually live in the US, but I work in a psych ward and I have a good knowledge of how involuntary commitment works. I looked up some information about the specific laws in the UK and found some interesting information for you.

You can be sectioned under a section of the Mental Health Act (most commonly section 2, a 28 day observational hold, or section 3, a treatment hold of up to six months) if you are a danger to yourself or others and you refuse treatment. A section is an involuntary hold. While you are sectioned, you cannot voluntarily leave the hospital, and you cannot refuse treatment. This means you can be forced to take medications against your will.

You can appeal the section by attending a hearing held before an independent body known as the Mental Health Review Tribunal. You can also get discharged by asking a family member (the closest family member as determined by a pecking order defined in the Mental Health Act) to ask for your discharge. The doctors have 72 hours to refute this request if you are still a danger to yourself or others.

That’s the basics of it. I hope this was helpful. Don’t hesitate to ask if you have more questions.