Mental health

This page highlights some of the current parliamentary material available on mental health. This includes select committee reports, briefing papers on current legislation and other subjects produced by the parliamentary research services, and the latest Early Day Motions put down by MPs.

Standard Notes

DateDescription
06.12.2012Powers of attorney
A power of attorney is a deed by which a person (the donor) authorises another person (the attorney, sometimes called the donee) to act on behalf of the donor. It is not a document which can be applied for by one individual on behalf of another.
23.11.2012Mental Health (Discrimination) (No. 2) Bill: Committee Stage Report
This briefing has been prepared for the Report Stage of the Mental Health (Discrimination) (No 2) Bill on 30 November 2012. The Bill is sponsored by Gavin Barwell MP, who was fourth in the 2012-13 ballot for Private Members' Bills.
25.10.2012Community care: Social Indicators page
Community care: Social Indicators page. By Rachael Harker. SN/SG/2643.
26.07.2012Repeal of section 141 of the Mental Health Act 1983
This note provides background information on the Government's commitment to repeal section 141 of the Mental Health Act 1983.
10.05.2011Sources of social statistics: Health Services and Public Health

Research Papers

DateDescription
10.09.2012Mental Health (Discrimination) (No 2) Bill
This briefing has been prepared for the Second Reading of the Mental Health (Discrimination) (No 2) Bill on 14 September 2012. The Bill is sponsored by Gavin Barwell MP, who was fourth in the 2012-13 ballot for Private Members' Bills.
30.03.2007Mental Health Bill [HL] Bill 76 of 2006-07
Mental Health Bill [HL]. (Bill 76 of 2006/07). House of Commons Library Research Paper 07/33.
05.10.2004Mental Capacity Bill (Bill 120 of 2003/04)
The Mental Capacity Bill became the Mental Capacity Act 2005, which came into force during 2007. As amended, it provides a legal framework and statutory code of practice for decision-making on behalf of those who lack capacity to make decisions for themselves, creates a statutory basis for advance directives to refuse treatment ('living wills'), and provides safeguards relating to deprivation of liberty. The Act also established a new Court of Protection and the Office of the Public Guardian.
11.12.2002Reform of the Mental Health Act 1983 the draft Mental Health Bill
Reform of the Mental Health Act 1983: the draft Mental Health Bill. House of Commons Library Research Paper 02/80.
10.03.1999Mental Health (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill: Finances of Incapable Adults
Mental Health (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill: Finances of Incapable Adults. House of Commons Library Research Paper 99/25.

Select Committee Reports

DateDescription
08.03.2010Improving Dementia Services in England-an Interim Report.
Public Accounts Committee report [Commons]
15.07.2009Supporting people with autism through adulthood.
Public Accounts Committee report [Commons]

Early Day Motions

DateDescription
11.01.2012NATIONAL OUTCOMES STRATEGY FOR NEUROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
That this House notes that an estimated two million people have a neurological condition, excluding migraine, such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, essential tremor ...
10.01.2012CORSTORPHINE DEMENTIA PROJECT
That this House congratulates the Corstorphine Dementia Project's Tea Time Club on being awarded the first Degge Ridge award from the Royal London Foundation; notes that this year's ...
14.12.2011MENTAL HEALTH OUTCOMES OF INDUCED ABORTION
That this House welcomes the recent publication of the systematic review of the mental health outcomes of induced abortion by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and National Collaborating ...
18.10.2011SOCIAL CARE AND THE NATIONAL AUTISTIC SOCIETY
That this House views both the shocking abuse witnessedin the Winterbourne View case and the collapse of Southern Cross as indicative of areas of the care system being in crisis; re-emphasises ...
17.10.2011AMBITIOUS ABOUT AUTISM AND THE FINISHED AT SCHOOL CAMPAIGN
That this House believes that young people with autism need more effective education options once they finish school in order to allow them to access work, live more independently and ...

POST Papers

DateDescription
25.10.2012Mental Health and the Workplace
This note summarises how the workplace affects mental health and vice versa.
11.07.2012Assessing Capacity for Work
This briefing discusses the role of the Work Capability Assessment and its suitability as a gateway to benefit.
15.03.2012Impacts of Video Games
There is debate surrounding the impact of violent video games on behaviour.
01.06.2011Mental capacity and healthcare, June 2011
01.05.2010Addictive behaviours, May 2010
This POSTnote reviews research on the addictive dimensions of gambling, eating, sex, internet use and shopping. It provides an overview of factors contributing to addictive behaviours and the personal and social consequences. It also examines the implications for treatment provision, public health and prevention strategies and industry regulation.
01.01.2010Diagnosing dementia, January 2010
This POSTnote outlines current diagnostic practices for dementia, research into newer tools and service provision proposals that aim to increase early diagnosis.

Glossary

  • Research Papers (RP) - briefings produced by the House of Commons Library on Bills, topical issues and regular statistics
  • Standard Notes (SN) - shorter, topical briefings from the Commons Library
  • Early Day Motions (EDMs) - formal motions submitted by MPs in the House of Commons
  • POST Notes - short briefing notes produced by the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology
  • Lords Library Notes (LLN) - an occasional series of papers compiled by the House of Lords Library