Mental Health

Contributed by ShaylaStrapps and LukeCassidy and current to 27 July 2018

This chapter provides a brief summary of the relevant provisions of the Mental Health Act 2014 (WA) focusing on the rights of patients subject to the Act and the working of the Mental Health Tribunal. It also outlines the Criminal Law (Mentally Impaired Accused) Act 1996 (WA) and how that legislation deals with people facing criminal charges who require psychiatric treatment. Finally, it will also provide information on Western Australia’s specialised mental health court, known as the Start Court.

The current Mental Health Act is relatively new, having come in to force in November 2015. The change in legislation was prompted by a desire to update the previous Act in order to bring the legislation in line with community expectations regarding recognition of human rights.

• Legislation
• Treatment of patients
• Patient's rights
• Mentally impaired accused
• Useful links