Risk assessment and admission under the MHA (1983 as Amended in 2007)

This film raises a number of issues. Firstly, watch very carefully the 'interview' with Ben in his flat. He is being seen by a psychiatrist and social worker. Is Ben psychotic? How much of a threat does he pose and to whom? What influences your conclusion? Is it what he says? His body language? Is there anything in the questions or non verbal language of the clinicians that might de-escalate the situation? Is there anything that exacerbates the situation from Ben's perspective? Were there alternatives that might have avoided Ben being formally detained under the MHA? The second part of the film shows a nurse trying to engage Ben in giving him his Rights. Why does it go so badly wrong? The remaining parts of the film show the clinicians fulfilling their legal obligations under the Act. If you want to read more about the subject matter of this film, you can try "A Pocket Guide to Risk Assessment and Management in Mental Health", by Chris Hart and published by Routledge. It's available as an e-Book, on Amazon and in book shops.