Difference between revisions of "Introduction to Mental Health and Capacity (14:I)"

For the purposes of this chapter, the most important statute is the MHA. Other pertinent legislation is listed later in this chapter under Part II: “Governing Legislation and Resources”. If you have an issue regarding a person who has come into conflict with the law and shows signs of psychiatric disturbance, you may also need to review the ''Forensic Psychiatry Act'', RSBC 1996, c 156 [FPA]. This legislation governs the forensic psychiatry services, which assists with court ordered psychiatric assessments, including fitness to stand trial or “Not Criminally Responsible” designations.

There are three distinct areas of concern at the intersection between the law, mental health, and capacity: (1) persons who suffer or have suffered from psychiatric disorders, (2) persons who have developmental disabilities, and (3) persons who have diminished capacity.  These issues are considered separately below in order to direct you to the pertinent chapter. Some matters are covered in this chapter, while others are covered in [[Introduction to Adult Guardianship (15:I) | Chapter 15: Guardianship]]. However, it is important to bear in mind that a client may experience several mental health challenges that overlap and blur the lines between the categories. For example, a person may have diminished cognitive capacity due to Alzheimer’s in addition to an underlying schizophrenia disorder that they manage with medication.