Mental Health Foundation welcomes data

MENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATION OF NEW ZEALAND

24 OCTOBER 2007

Mental Health Foundation welcomes the publication of NZ data on seclusion

The Mental Health Foundation welcomes the newly released 2006 Annual Report from the Office of the Director of Mental Health, which includes for the first time ever, details of the incidence of seclusion in the mental health sector in New Zealand

Judi Clements, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation says: "This annual review highlights the seriousness of compulsory treatment orders, electroconvulsive therapy and also the incidence of seclusion in the mental health sector. People with experience of mental illness who are placed in this situation, still have an absolute fundamental right to good conditions, privacy and protection from the law.

"The Mental Health Foundation (MHF) and the Mental Health Advocacy Coalition (MHAC) believe that seclusion should be eliminated and the Ministry of Health's commitment to reducing use of seclusion is a step in the right direction."

The report also showed that Maori were statistically more likely to be secluded than Pacific People or other ethnic groups. Judi Clements says: "This reinforces the point that mental health services need to reach Maori earlier and be provided in a culturally appropriate way, so circumstances don't escalate to the point of seclusion."

Anne Helm, Consumer Advocate and member of the Confidential Forum for Former In-Patients of Psychiatric Hospitals says: "The open availability of this information is a good sign of working towards the elimination of practices that carry damaging effects. The acute mental health service environment, though complex, must seek to respond humanely to acute distress outside of using secluded containment. For many the experience leaves the person with a loss of dignity, fear and sometimes trauma and is counterproductive to pivotal relationships needed for healing. "

The Annual Review from the Office of the Director of Mental Health also highlights disparity between District Health Boards in the way seclusion is applied and how the data is recorded, indicating a need for further investigation. Judi Clements says: "The significant variation causes us concern and needs to be investigated."

ENDS

© Scoop Media