MHC publishes new Tribunals Explained video series

The Mental Health Commission has developed a Tribunals Explained video series, as an additional information resource, for service users, their loved ones and the general public on the Tribunals process. There are nine videos in the series which cover topics that are also included in the Know Your Rights booklet. This booklet is available in fourteen languages including Irish, Polish, Arabic and Ukrainian, an audio version has also been developed. 

These videos were developed with the aim to help detained persons understand more about their stay in hospital, and about their rights as an involuntary detained person, as outlined in the Mental Health Acts 2001-2018. There are also videos for family and friends of the detained person, so they feel better informed about what is happening to their loved one, and how they can support them during this time. These videos can also be an additional tool for staff in approved centres, to empower their patients. 

Head of Mental Health Tribunals, Kevin Foley said “As a team, we are always looking for ways we can share with people the information on the rights of detained persons, how their loved ones can support them, and what is involved in a tribunals process. For service providers these videos are envisaged to help them too, as an additional tool they can use to support patients and their loved ones. We also hope that members of the general public will find these videos helpful in their understanding of how a mental health tribunal works.”  

To access the Know Your Rights booklet and other tribunals related information in various languages and audio versions, please follow this link: Information for Patients.

All nine videos can be accessed through this link: Know Your Rights: Tribunals Explainer Videos | Mental Health Commission.