Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Mental Health Act 1986 - SECT 4

PART 2 OBJECTS, OBJECTIVES, FUNCTIONS AND PRINCIPLES

Objects of Act

4. Objects of Act



(1) The objects of this Act are-

   (a)  to provide for the care, treatment and protection of mentally ill
        people who do not or cannot consent to that care, treatment or
        protection; and

   (ab) to facilitate the provision of treatment and care to people with a
        mental disorder; and



   (ac) to protect the rights of people with a mental disorder; and



   (b)  to establish a Mental Health Review Board; and

   (c)  to establish a Psychosurgery Review Board; and

   (d)  to provide for the appointment and functions of community visitors;
        and

   (da) to establish a Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health; and



   (e)  to ensure that people with a mental disorder are informed of and make
        use of the provisions of this Act.

(2) It is the intention of Parliament that the provisions of this Act are to
be interpreted and that every function, power, authority, discretion,
jurisdiction and duty conferred or imposed by this Act is to be exercised or
performed so that-

   (a)  people with a mental disorder are given the best possible care and
        treatment appropriate to their needs in the least possible restrictive
        environment and least possible intrusive manner consistent with the
        effective giving of that care and treatment; and

   (b)  in providing for the care and treatment of people with a mental
        disorder and the protection of members of the public any restriction
        upon the liberty of patients and other people with a mental disorder
        and any interference with their rights, privacy, dignity and
        self-respect are kept to the minimum necessary in the circumstances.