The link below is to a BC Government Guide to the Mental Health Act. This resource may be useful to families who would like to understand the rules and procedures in place in BC around mental illness, police involvement, involuntary treatment, etc…
Hospitals may not always have a good understanding of these rules. For example, a person does not have to be a danger to themself or others in order to be held for assessment or treatment. The criteria for medical professionals is more about risk to their health (see the document for details). Bringing a copy of this document with you if you go with your loved one to your doctor or hospital emergency will help you get them the care they need.
http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/mhd/pdf/MentalHealthGuide.pdf
Topic: Advocacy
Updated January 22nd, 2008
Visited 3010 times (since 04/15/08), 1 so far today Last edited: November 24, 2009
Advocacy,
Alphabetical List of Resources,
BCSS Abbotsford,
BCSS Bulkley Valley,
BCSS Burnaby / New Westminster,
BCSS Campbell River,
BCSS Chilliwack,
BCSS Courtenay,
BCSS Cowichan Valley,
BCSS Cranbrook,
BCSS Haida Gwaii,
BCSS Kamloops,
BCSS Kelowna,
BCSS Nanaimo,
BCSS Nelson,
BCSS North East - St. John, Taylor, Hudson's Hope, Fort Nelson, Dawson Creek, Tumbler Ridge, Chetwynd & Area,
BCSS Northern Interior,
BCSS Northwest,
BCSS Penticton,
BCSS Powell River,
BCSS Salmon Arm,
BCSS Sunshine Coast,
BCSS Surrey / White Rock / Langley / Delta,
BCSS Terrace,
BCSS Trail / Castlegar,
BCSS Tri-Cities/Ridge Meadows - Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Maple Ridge,
BCSS Vancouver / Richmond,
BCSS Vernon,
BCSS Victoria,
BCSS Williams Lake,
Family & Friends,
Printable Resources,
Professional Development
