Journal article

Section 136 of the Mental Health Act: a new literature review

RD Borschmann, S Gillard, K Turner, M Chambers, A O'Brien

MEDICINE SCIENCE AND THE LAW | ROYAL SOC MEDICINE PRESS LTD | Published : 2010

Abstract

Section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983 (amended) provides police officers in the United Kingdom with the authority to remove individuals who appear to be suffering from a mental illness from any public place to a designated 'place of safety' for appropriate assessment. A considerable amount of research has been dedicated to investigate who is detained under this section and how it is implemented. A review of the literature revealed a high prevalence of schizophrenia, personality disorders and mania in individuals detained under Section 136 and an over-representation of black detainees. Several studies also reported poor communication between different agencies and poor levels of knowledge..

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