People, often families, try to persuade a person with a serious mental illness to get treatment voluntarily. However, sometimes the person, because of the illness, refuses The Mental Health Act is designed to address that issue by providing for compulsory admission to hospital and treatment

This website has a number of helpful documents on the Mental Health Act and on related issues like confidentiality. The documents and a video are:

• The BC Mental Health Act -“The Right to be Well” (This provides the reason for having a Mental Health Act)
• BC Mental Health Act: What Families Need to Know. (Aimed at how families can facilitate admission and treatment in hospital and the community)
• Video and document by Gerrit Clements, Lawyer “BC Mental Health Law for physicians (and families)”
• Obtaining and Providing Mental Health Information (A guide designed to help family members and others in a family-like role support their loved one)