ORCID

Abstract

The Mental Health Bill, 2025, proposes to remove autism and learning disability from the scope of Section 3 of the Mental Health Act, 1983 (MHA). The present article represents a professional and carer consensus statement that raises concerns and identifies probable unintended consequences if this proposal becomes law. Our concerns relate to the lack of clear mandate for such proposals, conceptual inconsistency when considering other conditions that might give rise to a need for detention and the inconsistency in applying such changes to Part II of the MHA but not Part III. If the proposed changes become law, we anticipate that detentions would instead occur under the less safeguarded Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards framework, and that unmanaged risks will eventuate in behavioural consequences that will lead to more autistic people or those with a learning disability being sent to prison. Additionally, there is a concern that the proposed definitional breadth of autism and learning disability gives rise to a risk that people with other conditions may unintentionally be unable to be detained. We strongly urge the UK Parliament to amend this portion of the Bill prior to it becoming law.

Publication Date

2025-07-01

Publication Title

British Journal of Psychiatry

ISSN

0007-1250

Acceptance Date

2025-01-01

Deposit Date

2025-07-05

Funding

This manuscript received no specific grant from any funding agency, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

Keywords

Mental Health Act, autism, learning disability, mental health law, unintended consequences

First Page

1

Last Page

6

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