Know Your Rights
Everyone with a mental health problem should be treated fairly.
SAMH is a strong and well-informed voice on behalf of those of us who have experienced poor mental health, making sure your rights are protected.
Very few people will ever be treated for mental health problems against their will. However, if you are very ill, the law says you can be treated against your will if this is necessary to protect you or to protect other people.
The main law about this is the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003.
You have particular rights when you are waiting for or receiving health treatment or social care support. Some are set out in the Patient Rights Act and Equality Act, while others come from targets that the Scottish Government has set.
People are often anxious about disclosing their mental health problems to an employer. Buy you may have rights which protect you and you should not be treated unfairly.
Find out about your rights
Call the Mental Welfare Commission’s user and carer line on 0800 389 6809.
Rights for Life
People with disabilities, including mental health problems, are legally protected from hate crimes.
Hate crimes can include a physical attack on a person or their family, verbal abuse or threats, written abuse or an attack on a person’s property. Rights for Life is a statement of the rights that people affected by mental health issues in Scotland are calling for.
