The Mental Health Bill represents a landmark effort to update Ireland’s mental health legislation in line with human rights principles and international best practice. Throughout the legislative process, Mental Health Reform (MHR) has continued to play a central role in advocating for stronger protections for people experiencing mental health difficulties. This advocacy has spanned several years and has included key milestones, such as appearing before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health to present concerns and recommendations directly to policymakers.

MHR acknowledges the Government’s commitment to prioritising this important piece of legislation and welcomes several positive developments in the current draft of the Bill. These include:

• stronger guiding principles (greater emphasis on respecting a person’s will, preferences, and autonomy, and a requirement that any care be the least restrictive option necessary to meet the person’s needs),
• the use of more person-centred language,
• expanded role of authorised officers in the involuntary admission process so Gardaí don’t have to be involved in these applications,
• a section focused on children’s mental health needs,
• 16 and 17-year-olds will be able to consent to or refuse mental health treatment in line with their physical health treatment rights, and
• the Mental Health Commission’s regulatory powers will be expanded to include oversight of community mental health services and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

The above reforms are welcome and reflect long-standing calls for greater accountability and person-centred care...