Australian Capital Territory Consolidated Acts

MENTAL HEALTH (TREATMENT AND CARE) ACT 1994 - SECT 8

In providing services and facilities for mentally dysfunctional or mentally ill persons, the Territory shall have regard to the following objectives:

        (a)     to establish, develop, promote, assist and encourage services and facilities—

              (i)     that provide a strong and viable system of treatment and care, and a full range of services and facilities, for mentally dysfunctional or mentally ill persons; and

              (ii)     that take into account the various religious, cultural and language needs of mentally dysfunctional or mentally ill persons; and

              (iii)     that minimise the adverse effects of mental dysfunction or mental illness in the community; and

              (iv)     that are comprehensive and accessible; and

              (v)     that are designed to reduce the incidence of mental dysfunction or mental illness in the community; and

              (vi)     that provide for intervention at an early stage of mental dysfunction or mental illness; and

              (vii)     that support mentally dysfunctional or mentally ill persons in the community and coordinate with other community services;

        (b)     to ensure that mentally dysfunctional or mentally ill persons are informed of their rights and entitlements under this Act and, in doing so, to make all reasonable efforts to ensure that the relevant provisions of this Act are explained to those persons in the language, mode of communication or terms that they are most likely to understand;

        (c)     to assist and encourage voluntary agencies to provide services for mentally dysfunctional or mentally ill persons;

        (d)     to promote a high standard of training for those responsible for the care of mentally dysfunctional or mentally ill persons;

        (e)     to consult with persons who are receiving or have received such services, their carers and the community about—

              (i)     the provision of services and facilities for mentally dysfunctional or mentally ill persons and to establish formal and informal consultative mechanisms for this purpose; and

              (ii)     the development of mental health policy; and

              (iii)     planning for mental health services; and

              (iv)     the delivery of services and facilities; and

              (v)     the evaluation and review of policies and services;

        (f)     to promote the welfare of mentally dysfunctional or mentally ill persons and to enhance community awareness of mental health issues.