How ill do you have to be to get sectioned under The Mental Health Act?

Question

I wanted to know if anyone knew how ill you would have to be to get sectioned under The Mental Health Act. I'm struggling at the moment and my GP doesn't know how else to help. I have been assessed by a psychiatrist who said they didn't think I had any serious mental health issues and they saw me as being too young to be in secondary services. I'm 20.

I have also been assessed by a psychologist but it could be a while before I start treatment. I'm trying to hang on until I see my GP again next week but I'm finding it hard. If I go to my nearest Urgent Care Centre I know they will get The Crisis Team involved but I'm scared in case they say they are going to section me.

Serious answers only please!

Answer 1

people are usually sectioned if you are classed as being a danger to yourself or to other people. however if you are told that you need to go into hospital, i would go in voluntarily, not under section. the minimum section is 6 months and it means that you cant go out or do  anything. if you go in voluntarily, then you are able to go out on day/overnight release. just a thought if it is recommended, as your stay will be much shorter.

feeling suicidal would not mean that you are admitted. if you acted on the thoughts then you may possibly be admitted. if you really do feel suicidal at any point, then you can go to A&E and speak to the mental health liaison team who may be able to arrange something temporary. i know you said you have been with a crisis team, but they can be really helpful when you are really low. i was with them after attempting suicide and found that it did help. i don't think the crisis team would section you, they are there to stop the need for that.

good luck and i hope you feel happier soon xx

Answer 2

I dont understand what the mental health act is.  Are you located in the US?  Please tell me more.

Answer 3

Pull yourself together the last thing you want is to be sectioned, have you been there before? do you want to really go back? Your struggling that means that you are have fight in you yet! You can deal with this you do not need the Crisis Support team coming around. Your young don't even go down that road there are people to help, not only drugs, have you had counselling? bless you take care my thoughts are with you xx

Answer 4

Please try to hang in there to see your psychologist and remember the crisis team are there to help you.you will only be sectioned if you are a danger to yourself or others or if you have a psychosis and as the doctors have said that that they don't think you have serious mental health problems I really can't see you being sectioned.Just keep going and wait for your appointments.Things will eventually improve.

Answer 5

Yeah you need to be determined as a threat to yourself or others

Based on what I've read, it doesn't seem likely that you'll be sectioned

You pretty much need to be diagnosed with something first

Answer 6

my daddy was sectioned in mental institution and till now we are blamed for being his children

you don't need that trust me

it will effect the people you love thank god you are with full mind and act good

help yourself to get up on your feet

people don't help others ,

only god does

Answer 7

You must be a threat to yourself or others.

Hang on and good luck to you. I have been dealing with mental health issues for about 5 years.

Answer 8

you would be sectioned if it was thought that you were either a

danger to yourself(like attempting suicide) or a danger to others.

if you are showing strong symptoms that could lead to aggressive

behaviour you may be sectioned.

it has to be pretty severe.

if you don't mind me asking what's wrong with you?

if you feel your not going to do anything dangerous to yourself or

anyone else - why not speak to a friend or ring the samaritans.

good luck - let us know how you are doing

Answer 9

They can only section you if you're seriously at risk of harming yourself or others. And then they can only do it for 72 hours to begin with. They hardly ever do it.

They wouldn't section you.