A Comparison of Mental Health Legislation from Diverse Commonwealth Jurisdictions

This article examined criteria for involuntary mental health treatment in 32 Commonwealth Mental Health Acts and compared them using a framework derived from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  The study found widespread deviation from the standards, possibly suggesting inadequate protections for individuals with mental health disorders.  In addition, the study found that trends include a move toward broad diagnostic criteria, use of capacity and treatability tests, treatment in the interests of health rather than safety, and regular reviews of treatment orders with some notable exceptions. 

Fistein, E. C., A. J. Holland, Clare, I. C., & Gunn, M. J. (2009). A comparison of mental health legislation from diverse Commonwealth jurisdictions. Int J Law Psychiatry, 32(3), 147-55. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19299015