St Patrick’s Mental Health Services’ Hosts Annual Founder’s Day Conference

There are a number of proposed changes to the Mental health Act 2001, ahead of the Government’s approval of the draft Heads of Bill in July.

St Patrick’s Mental Health Services’ is hosting the Annual Founder’s Day conference to focus on national mental health legislation updates and the broader human rights context.

There are over 120 propsed changes to legislation, this includes the scrapping of seclusion and  physical restraint in mental health services.

This year’s conference will address a number of key topics including:

The reform of the Mental Health Act 2001 and its significance for service providers, healthcare professionals, service users, carers and supporters, and other key stakeholders.

Progress on the implementation of the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015 and its relevance to the rights of people experiencing mental health difficulties.

Understanding the role and importance of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) from a mental health perspective.

Through a broad range of perspectives, key considerations for mental health legislation developments and human rights will be highlighted, including:

• Deprivation of liberty safeguards.
•  Amending and extending our mental health law.
•  Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015: UNCRPD perspective and pathway to commencement.
• Perspectives on human rights in mental health.
• A service user perspective on mental health legislation and its impacts.
• The implications of mental health laws from a family, friend, carer or supporter perspective.

Professor Paul Fearon, Medical Director, St Patrick’s Mental Health Services,commented: “With over 120 proposed changes to the Mental health Act 2001, and the Government’s approval of the draft Heads of Bill in July, this year’s Founder’s Day conference is a timely opportunity to hear from a variety of key stakeholders, including service providers, legal professionals, service users and their supporters, about the implications of the proposed legislative reform.

"It also provides an opportunity to consider and discuss the human rights context and what needs to be done to ensure Ireland is continuously meeting its obligations under the UNCRPD," he added.

To register for your free place, and view the full conference programme, click here.