title: Mental health law: an idea whose time has passed.
abstract: In this paper I argue that specific mental health law should not exist and should be replaced by modern guardianship law which is non-discriminatory and which intervenes according to need rather than diagnostic classification. Substituted consent provided by a guardian protects the patient and the treatment provider. Custody to prevent danger to others should remain with courts rather than informal proceedings where individual rights to freedom are less carefully protected. Special mental health law stigmatises people with mental illness and degrades their treatment. It also diminishes the standing of the psychiatric profession which advocates the continuation of such laws.
authors.affiliation: ACT Health, Canberra.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rosenman
mesh_terms: D001290:Attitude; D001315:Australia; D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D003617:Dangerous Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D007872:Legal Guardians; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D009520:New Zealand; D010344:Patient Advocacy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D011287:Prejudice