Forced Psychiatric Hospitalization Law: Family Support Groups Seek Reform
A coalition of over 50 organizations supporting families affected by mental health disorders is calling for a loosening of Law P-38, which governs forced hospitalization, to allow for earlier intervention in crisis situations.
The call comes after the broadcast on thursday of the first episode of the documentary series I am Here, by hosts Monic Néron and Paul Arcand, on Télé-Québec. It follows the daily lives of caregivers filled with hope and exhaustion as they support a loved one struggling with serious mental health issues.
“The first episode demonstrates the importance of the role of loved ones in encouraging the person to seek care, but also often thier powerlessness,” says René Cloutier, Executive Director of CAP santé mentale, which brings together 53 organizations. He says he regularly hears from families across Quebec who say they are “not listened to or supported.”
Currently, Law P-38 allows a person to be hospitalized against their will when their mental state poses a serious and immediate danger to themselves or others.
though, several families want the criterion of immediate danger to be lifted, so that this measure can also apply to people whose mental state, without being promptly hazardous, raises concerns about serious harm, says Mr. Cloutier.
“What we are talking about here are people who have lost their self-criticism. And therefore, [loosening the law] would mean that when a person loses touch with reality, we have the means to intervene and quickly restore their ability to self-determination,” he continues.
Requests for 25 Years
These changes to the law adopted in 1997 have been requested for 25 years, emphasizes René Cloutier.
“When a person refuses care, as that’s….”