Being sectioned under the Mental Health Act involves key steps, from initial assessments to legal rights and hospital detention. It is a legal process involving someone being assessed and treated in hospital to ensure their safety and wellbeing. 

Learn more about the Mental Health Act.

Understanding the process of being sectioned can help you or your loved ones feel more prepared and supported during this challenging time. 

Assessment by professionals 

The process of being detained often starts when a GP, loved one, or police officer expresses concern about your mental health.  

You will then have an assessment by a mental health professional. This could be an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP), who might be a psychologist, nurse, social worker, or occupational therapist.  

This assessment is to offer a perspective on your situation and work out if a Mental Health Act Assessment is needed. 

Mental Health Act Assessment 

This assessment is crucial in deciding whether you should be detained in a hospital for treatment. It involves an evaluation of your mental health and the potential risk of danger you might be to yourself or others people. 

Decision to detain 

If the assessment ends in you needing to be detained, you may be sectioned. This means being admitted to a hospital under the Mental Health Act. The decision to detain is not taken lightly and is based on the professional judgment of the assessing team. 

Legal rights 

When you are sectioned, most of the legal rights are granted to your nearest relative, not your next of kin. Your nearest relative can apply to discharge you from the Mental Health Act, and there are legal processes in place to change or remove the nearest relative if necessary. It's important to understand these rights and how they can impact your situation. Learn what a nearest relative is.