Ensuring that mental health laws protect human rights in both theory and practice is an ongoing challenge. This volume explores the effect that the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and other international trends in human rights may have on domestic mental health laws. The topics covered include the criteria for civil commitment of individuals with serious mental illnesses, legal capacity and supported decision-making, advance directives, advocacy, community treatment orders and the importance of the integrity of the person in decisions to detain individuals for treatment.

Summary Table of Contents

International Trends in Mental Health Laws: Introduction,
The Disabilities Convention and its Consequences for Mental Health Laws in Australia,
From Autonomy to Dignity: Treatment for Mental Disorders and the Focus for Patient Rights, People with Psychosocial Impairments or Conditions, Reasonable
Accommodation and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities,
Supported Decision-Making and the Achievement of Non-Discrimination: The Promise and Paradox of the Disabilities Convention,
Protecting the Integrity of the Person: Developing Limitations on Involuntary Treatment,
Advocacy and Participation in Mental Health Cases: Realisable Rights or Pipe-dreams?,
Community Treatment Orders and Human Rights