What does it mean to be sectioned under the Mental Health Act?
The Mental Health Act (MHA) 1983 allows you to be detained in hospital. When this happens, you are called a ‘detained’ patient and your consent to treatment is no longer required. This is often known as being ‘sectioned’. The MHA is designed to protect and treat you when you are too unwell to realise you need help and to prevent you from harming yourself and others. Two doctors are required to section someone under the MHA. At least one of the doctors must have mental health training.
