Mental Health Act

• Defines categories of psychiatric institutions (Sections 1 and 2)
• Covers legal rights of patients and outlines who is to ensure these (Section 14)
• Covers procedures for obtaining consent for treatment by patients deemed unable to consent for themselves (Section 15)
• Physicians can complete various forms to request psychiatric consultation for a patient, with main forms being:
  • Form 1, which is used by a physician to request psychiatric consultation for a patient considered to be a potential harm to him- or herself (e.g., threatening to harm himself or others). 
  • Form 2 is used to request a psychiatric assessment for a person who is in imminent danger of self-harm. 
  • Form 3 is used to order an involuntary admission to a psychiatric facility. 
  • Form 4 renews an involuntary admission to a facility.
• Links to more information about the Act
  http://www.sse.gov.on.ca/mohltc/ppao/default.aspx#top
• View various mental health forms online on the Government of Ontario website