Question about being sectioned

[kingfisherblue33]

A friend has been sectioned. Can anyone tell me what happens whern she is let out? She is homeless and has nowhere to go. Will the hospital let her out? Will she be assigned a social worker, or just left to her own devices? Thank you.

Do you know what Section she is under? I ask because there are different plans for different sections which I can link you to.

www.mind.org.uk/information-support/legal-rights/leaving-hospital/care-planning/

A 28-day one - so section 2?

Thank yo. So does everyone who has been sectioned have a Care Programme? My friend does not believe she is ill and will not take medication, etc.

She would be better under an section 3 as then the hospital and social services are obliged to provide aftercare under section 117.
It may well be that the section 2 is 'converted' to a section 3 if your friends is still unwell as she nears the end of the 28 days.

The hospital and social services are obliged to provide care after a section 2, but now is the time for your friend, family and her friends to start asking for post discharge support. Do it now rather than leave it to day 26.

www.rethink.org/living-with-mental-illness/mental-health-laws/mental-health-act-1983/sections-2-3-4-5

The hospital and social services are obliged to provide care after a section 2, but now is the time for your friend, family and her friends to start asking for post discharge support. Do it now rather than leave it to day 26.

That's helpful, thank you. My friend has not allowed any family or friends to be told about her condition. She has not wanted any visitors. She will not ask for support. Can family members ring up and ask for support?

It depends on why she is homeless and how ill she is. I’m a mental health nurse and I’ve known people to be discharged with no fixed abode and then been taken to the council office to be placed in emergency housing.

It also depends how co operative she is and able to manage the problems by herself if she was discharged without a robust discharge plan. I would contact the ward and voice your concerns. She could also be granted leave to go for a walk with a member of staff etc. She would be eligible to appeal her detention and be discharged sooner if appropriate.

I hope this helps

The staff may ask her why she doesn't want any family or friends to be told about her illness or to visit, she has rights to confidentiality so anyone calling may not get much information.

The hospital and social services are obliged to provide care after a section 2
Sorry - that should have read
The Hospital and Social will provide care after a section 2 - if they are asked and if they are able.

For a section 3, the hospital and social services are legally required to provide care

She’s homeless because she’s spent her divorce settlement and hasn’t worked in 15 years.

She has appealed but presumably it was unsuccessful.

It’s all such a mess. She is not cooperative. Has alienated all family and friends.

What has she appealed? Is she able to work, is she claiming any benefits. I'm assuming shell have a case worker so I'd leave it up to them, see what happens while shes being assessed. Why was she sectioned.

No, hasn’t worked for 15 years. Appealed against section but was unsuccessful. Don’t think she was claiming benefits. She was seen acting oddly in public and someone rang the police. No more details than that.