Improving support for Nearest Relatives under the Mental Health Act
“If people don’t realise they are the Nearest Relative then they don’t know their rights.”
Nearest relatives are an important safeguard for people who are affected by the Mental Health Act. They have a significant role when people admitted to hospital under the Mental Health Act for psychiatric care and treatment. Our research has identified that Nearest Relatives lack information about the role and that it is often a difficult experience to take on this responsibility for a relative who is being treated in hospital under the Mental Health Act.
Our project is working with Nearest Relatives, Approved Mental Health Professionals, voluntary organisations (including Mind and Rethink) and advisors, to improve the information and support that is available for Nearest Relatives.
The Nearest Relative role is being reviewed as part of the planned reform to the Mental Health Act and our project will evolve to reflect this.
Read our Policy Briefing to find out more about our research.
You can find out more about what a Nearest Relative is here.
To find out more, please contact us.
Image from the Age Without Limits Image Library