ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of professional, legal and ethical issues that relate specifically to mental health nursing, including: the Mental Health Act, ethical issues in mental health nursing, and professional regulation. Most Western countries have mental health laws operating within in-patient mental health services and extending into the community. Some Australian mental health legislation now stipulates the importance of providing care and treatment within the least restrictive environment. According to this philosophy, involuntary admission should be considered as a last resort. Each state and territory of Australia has a Mental Health Act designed as a legal framework for the care and treatment of people diagnosed with a mental illness. When a person is legally detained in a mental health service, appropriately qualified mental health professionals can administer medical and psycho-social interventions according to their clinical judgement.
