Quote:
Effective September 30, 2009:
Changes in Certification Criteria
The criteria for certification (involuntary detention) was broadened. The MHA states:
When a physician examines a person and is of the opinion that the person is
a. suffering from a mental disorder,
b. likely to cause harm to themselves or others or to suffer substantial mental or physical deterioration or serious physical impairment, and
c. unsuitable for admission to a facility other than as a formal patient,
the physician may, not later than 24 hours after the examination, issue an admission certificate in the prescribed form with respect to the person.
http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/hp/ ... hanges.pdfBut by the sound of it, your case will soon be up for a review by tribunal to consider extending or cancelling your certification.
If you have any questions about your treatment which you do not feel are being addressed by the professionals looking after you, then there exists an independent Alberta Mental Health Patient Advocate who can address any such concerns, neutrally and authoritatively. Contact them here:
https://www.mhpa.ab.ca/patients/Pages/default.aspxIf you ultimately feel that you need legal help with your situation:
Quote:
It is your right to have unrestricted access to legal counsel. Legal Aid Alberta provides legal services at no cost for the hearing. A lawyer acting on your behalf can visit you at any time.
What can I do if I am not satisfied with a review panel’s decision?
Any decision of the review panel may be appealed to the Court of Queen’s Bench. An Appeal must be commenced within 14 days of the receipt of the order or written decision of a review panel. An appeal is a rehearing of the matter on its merits. An order of the Court is not subject to further appeal.
http://www.health.alberta.ca/newsroom/m ... anels.html
Similar provisions exist under English law for the involuntary committal to a psychiatric hospital of a person judged (by a competent psychiatric professional) to be a danger to him/herself or others.
I think that this is A Good Thing for all concerned.
Some people with serious mental illnesses need treatment and lack the mental capacity (during their illness) to seek out appropriate treatment. This has been judged to be the OP's case and I have no reason to doubt that the formal procedures for assessment, referral, certification and committal were followed properly.
I am not persuaded that this is a Human Rights issue, although I agree that we (as citizens) should keep a careful eye on such legislation.
Our society may be corrupt and unfair in many ways, but we have not yet reached the situation prevalent in the former USSR, in which dissidents and state critics were processed (and often sequestrated) as psychiatric patients.
09 Oct 2013, 7:47 pm
