The Mental Health Act (UK,1983) serves as a crucial legal framework for the treatment and care of individuals facing mental health challenges. However, it is essential to recognise that the very act intended to provide support and protection can sometimes contribute to distress. In this blog, we explore the potential impact of the Mental Health Act on individuals and highlight the importance of adopting a humanistic approach in the presentation of people on psychiatric wards, taking into account their normal reactions to being restricted and various emotions in their journey of recovery.
Understanding the Mental Health Act and Its Implications
The Mental Health Act is designed to safeguard the rights of individuals experiencing mental health difficulties, ensuring appropriate care, treatment, and protection. However, the act can inadvertently create distress for those subject to its provisions. The loss of personal autonomy and freedom, the stigma associated with psychiatric hospitalisation, and the potential for coercive measures can all contribute to emotional upheaval and exacerbate existing mental health challenges.
Normal Reactions to Being Restricted
It is crucial to recognise that when individuals are admitted to psychiatric wards, they may experience a range of normal reactions to being restricted. Feelings of frustration, anxiety, and loss of control are common responses, as the shift from an independent lifestyle to a structured, institutionalised setting can be disorienting. Acknowledging and empathising with these normal reactions is essential for fostering a supportive environment that promotes healing and recovery.
The Humanistic Approach: Embracing Person-Centred Care
Adopting a humanistic approach in the presentation of people on psychiatric wards is vital to mitigating distress and facilitating recovery. Person-centred care recognises the individual’s unique needs, values, and experiences. It emphasises dignity, respect, and empowerment, creating a therapeutic environment that encourages active participation in decision-making processes and treatment plans.
Promoting Autonomy and Informed Consent
Respecting an individual’s autonomy is fundamental to humanistic care. In the context of the Mental Health Act, it becomes even more critical to ensure that individuals are involved in decisions regarding their treatment and care. Providing clear and comprehensive information about the implications of the act and actively seeking informed consent whenever possible fosters a sense of ownership and reduces distress associated with feeling powerless.
Compassionate Communication and Empathetic Engagement
Effective communication is central to humanistic approaches. Mental health professionals and staff should employ compassionate communication techniques, actively listening to patients and engaging with them empathetically. Open dialogue allows for the expression of concerns, fears, and frustrations, which can help alleviate distress and promote a sense of validation and understanding.
Creating Supportive Environments
Psychiatric wards should strive to create supportive environments that respect individual privacy, dignity, and self-expression. Encouraging personalisation of living spaces, providing access to appropriate recreational activities, and facilitating social interactions with peers and family can contribute significantly to well-being and recovery.
Collaborative Care and Holistic Approaches
A humanistic approach also involves adopting collaborative care models and holistic approaches to treatment. Recognising that mental health challenges are complex and multifaceted, integrating therapies such as counselling, psychoeducation, occupational therapy, and creative outlets can enhance overall well-being and support individuals on their journey to recovery.
While the Mental Health Act plays a critical role in ensuring appropriate care and treatment for individuals facing mental health challenges, it is crucial to acknowledge the potential distress it can cause. By embracing a humanistic approach in the presentation of people on psychiatric wards, mental health professionals can mitigate distress, respect individual autonomy, and foster an environment conducive to healing and recovery. Recognising and addressing the normal reactions to being restricted, empowering individuals through informed consent, and fostering compassionate communication are essential steps toward providing holistic, person-centred care within the framework of the Mental Health Act.
Remember, every person’s journey is unique, and by embracing humanistic approaches, we can help individuals navigate their path to recovery with dignity, empathy, and understanding.
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1983/20/contents
* Thanks for reading, this is a reminder that the information provided in this blog is not a substitute for professional counselling or therapy *
Daniel James Psychology 