title: Qualitative exploration of stakeholders' perspectives of involuntary admission under the Mental Health Act 2001 in Ireland.
abstract: There is international interest in, and continued concern about, the potential long-term impact of involuntary admission to psychiatric institutions, and the effect this coercive action has on a person's well-being and human rights. Involuntary detention in hospital remains a controversial process that involves stakeholders with competing concerns and who often describe negative experiences of the process, which can have long-lasting effects on the therapeutic relationship with service users. The aim of the present study was to explore the perspectives of key stakeholders involved in the involuntary admission and detention of people under the Mental Health Act 2001 in Ireland. Focus groups were used to collect data. Stakeholders interviewed were service users, relatives, general practitioners, psychiatrists, mental health nurses, solicitors, tribunal members, and police. Data were analysed using a general inductive approach. Three key categories emerged: (i) getting help; (ii) detention under the Act; and (iii) experiences of the tribunal process. This research highlights gaps in information and uncertainty about the involuntary admission process for stakeholders, but particularly for service users who are most affected by inadequate processes and supports. Mental health law has traditionally focussed on narrower areas of detention and treatment, but human rights law requires a greater refocussing on supporting service users to ensure a truly voluntary approach to care. The recent human rights treaty, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, is to guarantee a broad range of fundamental rights, such as liberty and integrity, which can be affected by coercive processes of involuntary admission and treatment.
authors: School of Nursing and Midwifery, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
authors: Siobhán
authors: S
authors: Smyth
authors: School of Nursing and Midwifery, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
authors: Dympna
authors: D
authors: Casey
authors: School of Nursing and Midwifery, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
authors: Adeline
authors: A
authors: Cooney
authors: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland.
authors: Agnes
authors: A
authors: Higgins
authors: School of Nursing and Midwifery, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: McGuinness
authors: School of Medicine, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
authors: Emma
authors: E
authors: Bainbridge
authors: School of Law, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
authors: Mary
authors: M
authors: Keys
authors: School of Medicine, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
authors: Irina
authors: I
authors: Georgieva
authors: Centre for Disability Law and Policy, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
authors: Liz
authors: L
authors: Brosnan
authors: School of Nursing and Midwifery, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
authors: Claire
authors: C
authors: Beecher
authors: School of Medicine, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.|Health Research Board Clinical Research Facility Galway, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
authors: Brian
authors: B
authors: Hallahan
authors: School of Medicine, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.|Health Research Board Clinical Research Facility Galway, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
authors: Colm
authors: C
authors: McDonald
authors: School of Nursing and Midwifery, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
authors: Kathy
authors: K
authors: Murphy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D010361:Patients; D036301:Qualitative Research
keywords: Mental Health Act; involuntary detention; psychiatric institution; stakeholder