Victorian Mental Health Act 2014

Following is a excerpt from the Victorian Legal Aid page on the Mental Health Act 2014 (Victoria)
you can see the page in it’s entirety here

https://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/information-for-lawyers/practice-resources/mental-health-law/introduction-to-mental-health-act-2014


 

About the Mental Health Act

The key legislation covering treatment of people with mental illness is the Mental Health Act 2014 (Vic), which repeals and replaces the Mental Health Act 1986 (Vic) and is the culmination of many years of development and consultation by the Victorian government.

It provides a legislative scheme for the assessment and treatment of people with mental illness within the public health system, including prescribed hospitals and public health services under the Health Services Act 1988 (Vic) and the Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health.

Focus of new Act

The Mental Health Act came into effect on 1 July 2014. It sets out a framework intended to promote recovery-oriented practice, minimise compulsory treatment and protect and support the rights of people living with mental illness. These include rights to:

  • make advance statements
  • communicate privately with people outside a mental health service, including lawyers specifically, and have visitors
  • nominate support people, who can receive information and support decision-making
  • request second psychiatric opinions
  • be given a statement of rights when being assessed or having an order made about their treatment for mental illness.

What you Can Do

Please phone, visit, fax, write or email requesting amendments to the Mental Health Act to:

Premier: The Hon. Daniel Andrews
Level 1, 1 Treasury Place, East Melbourne, Vic 3002
Email: daniel.andrews@parliament.vic.gov.au
Phone: (03) 9651 5000 Fax: (03) 9651 5054

Mental Health Minister: The Hon. Martin Foley
Level 22, 50 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, Vic 3000
Email: martin.foley@parliament.vic.gov.au
Phone: (03) 9096 7500 Fax: (03) 9646 8737

Health Minister: The Hon. Jenny Mikakos
Level 22, 50 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, Vic 3000.
Email: minister.health@health.vic.gov.au
Phone: (03) 9096 8561 Fax: (03) 9096 3373

Shadow Mental Health Minister: Georgie Crozier
Level 2, 55 St Andrews Place, East Melbourne, VIC 3002
Email: georgie.crozier@parliament.vic.gov.au
Phone: (03) 9555 4101