The Policy Watch series reflects on recent and forthcoming developments in mental health policy across the UK. This paper aims to review recent trends in detention under the Mental Health Act 1983 in England and the relationship to trends in access to mental health services.
The paper reviews recent trends based on research sources and the findings of the Care Quality Commission, which monitors the Mental Health Act and regulates health and social care in England.
The paper suggests that a steady increase in coercion is related to tightening access to mental health care and that these form a toxic relationship that undermines people's mental health, recovery and rights. These trends might be reversed by a combination of rights‐based measures, shared decision‐making and commissioning a better level and mix of mental health services.
The paper updates and discusses knowledge on trends and cites recent evidence from the Care Quality Commission and from Mind.
