Why do so few patients appeal against detention under section 2 of the mental health act?
Abstract Objective: To determine why most patients do not exercise their right of appeal against detention under section 2 of the Mental Health Act 1983. Design: Part one–retrospective analysis of the clinical notes of patients detained under section 2 of the Mental Health Act. Part two–interviews with patients on the penultimate day before the deadline for lodging an appeal. Setting: In part one, five districts in the Oxfordshire Regional Health Authority. In part two, six hospitals from three districts in the region. Subjects: In part one all patients detained under section 2 in the five districts in 1993 (n=418). In part two interviews with 40 patients detained under section 2 in the six hospitals. Results: Patients were more likely to appeal if they were educated to A level standard (odds=2.26; P=0.0014) or had had a previous admission (2.19, P=0.0029). Patients with a diagnosis of depression (0.31; P=0.015) or dementia (0.0003, P=0.0001) were less likely to appeal. Compared with
