TABLE OF CONTENT
- What is the Mental Health Act?
- What is Section 136 Act?
- Get More Information With Concise Medico
- FAQs
- What is Section 136 of the Mental Health Act?
- Where can someone be taken under Section 136 Mental Health Act?
- How long can someone be detained under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983?
- What are the changes to Section 136 of the Mental Health Act?
- What rights does a person have under Section 136 Mental Health Act?
- Can Section 136 of the Mental Health Act be used in private spaces?
- Can I challenge the police decision?
- What is the advice for care’s and parents?
- Who decided to be detained and not detained?
- What is ‘Section 17 leave’?
What is the Mental Health Act?
There are various laws that come under the Mental Act. One of them is Section 136 mental health act. The Mental Health Act is a UK law. It sets out rules on how people with mental issues get care. It saves the rights of these people. The act helps doctors, police, and carers make decisions. They can act when a person’s mental condition puts them or others at risk. Continue reading to know the details of the Section 136 of the mental health act.
Find more details on Mental Health Care Rights UK.
What is Section 136 Act?
Section 136 of the Mental Health Act is specially for police to act in certain situations. It gives them power to take people with mental disorders to a safe place. If the person may hurt themselves or others, the police can step in. They do not need a warrant for this. This section applies when the person is in a public place.
An article by R D Borschmann et al explains
“A place of safety, as defined in the Act, refers to residential accommodation provided by a local services authority, a hospital as defined by the Act, a police station, a mental health nursing home or residential nursing home for mentally disordered persons, or any other suitable place the occupier of which is willing to temporarily receive the individual.”
R D Borschmann et al.
What is a “safe place”?
A place for place can be:
- A hospital
- A mental health unit
- A police station in rare cases
The goal is to assess the person’s mental condition. Doctors review the person who will need further care. The stay in a secure place can last up to 24 hours or extend by 12 more hours.
According to the NHS, males were more likely to be placed under a Section 136 order than females, with a rate of 35.8 uses per 100,000 population.
Section 136 of the Act 1983: Key Points
The Act 1983 is the main law. Section 136 Mental Health Act is a part of this act. It allows police officers to detain someone. This law applies in public areas. Police cannot use it in private homes. For private spaces, other sections of the act are used, like Section 135.
Reforms of Section 136 Act
Over the years, the law has reformed alot. Updates aim to improve care for vulnerable people. Key changes include:
Shorter detention time:
- Initially the maximum time was 72 hours. Now it is 1 day, with a possible 12-hour extension.
Police Stations as a Last Option:
- People under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act rarely go to police cells. Hospitals or mental health units are better options.
Better training:
- Police officers now get training. They learn how to handle mental health crises.

When Can Police Use Section 136 Act?
Police use Section 136 Mental Health Act when:
- A person appears mentally unwell.
- The person is in a public place.
- There is a risk to the person or other people’s security.
The police must:
- Assess the situation quickly.
- Make sure the person gets the needed support.
Role of Expert Doctors
Doctors, mental health, and other experts play a big role. After detention, they assess the person. Their job is to:
- Check if the person needs treatment.
- Decide if the person can go home safely.
- Make sure the person’s rights are respected.
How Does Section 136 of Act 1983 Secure People?
Section 136 of the Mental Health Act balances care and freedoms. It ensures people with mental issues get help. At the same time, it safeguards their freedom. Detaining someone is a serious step. The law ensures this step is taken only when needed.
Explore more about the Mental Health Act 1983.
Why Were Changes Made?
The changes to Section 136 of Mental Health Act were made to:
- Enhance patient care.
- Reduce the use of police cells.
- Ensure quick assessments.
- Protect vulnerable people.
Rights of the Person Detained
People detained under Section 136 Mental Health Act have rights. They include:
- The right to understand why they are detained.
- Access to a lawyer.
- The right to medical care.
The law aims to ensure fairness and dignity.
Challenges with Section 136 of the Mental Health Act
While the law helps many people, still some challenges remain:
Hospital shortages:
- Not all areas have enough safe places.
Delays in assessments:
- In some cases, people wait too long for help.
Stigma:
- Some people feel shame when detained.
Get more information on Mental Health Stigma UK

Improvements in Recent Years
Recent updates aim to fix these issues:
- More funding for mental health services.
- Better police and healthcare training.
- Increased public awareness.
Get More Information With Concise Medico
Section 136 Mental Health Act is an important law. It saves lives and helps those in mental crisis. The law protects individuals while balancing public safety. Recent changes ensure better care and respect for rights. As awareness grows, society can better support those with mental health challenges. Need more information on mental health laws history? Stay informed and reach out for support today!
Get updated information from our blog section.
FAQs
What is the Mental Health Act?
There are various laws that come under the Mental Act. One of them is Section 136 mental health act. The Mental Health Act is a UK law. It sets out rules on how people with mental issues get care. It saves the rights of these people. The act helps doctors, police, and carers make decisions. They can act when a person’s mental condition puts them or others at risk. Continue reading to know the details of the Section 136 of the mental health act.
Find more details on Mental Health Care Rights UK.
What is Section 136 Act?
Section 136 of the Mental Health Act is specially for police to act in certain situations. It gives them power to take people with mental disorders to a safe place. If the person may hurt themselves or others, the police can step in. They do not need a warrant for this. This section applies when the person is in a public place.
An article by R D Borschmann et al explains
“A place of safety, as defined in the Act, refers to residential accommodation provided by a local services authority, a hospital as defined by the Act, a police station, a mental health nursing home or residential nursing home for mentally disordered persons, or any other suitable place the occupier of which is willing to temporarily receive the individual.”
R D Borschmann et al.
What is a “safe place”?
A place for place can be:
- A hospital
- A mental health unit
- A police station in rare cases
The goal is to assess the person’s mental condition. Doctors review the person who will need further care. The stay in a secure place can last up to 24 hours or extend by 12 more hours.
According to the NHS, males were more likely to be placed under a Section 136 order than females, with a rate of 35.8 uses per 100,000 population.
Section 136 of the Act 1983: Key Points
The Act 1983 is the main law. Section 136 Mental Health Act is a part of this act. It allows police officers to detain someone. This law applies in public areas. Police cannot use it in private homes. For private spaces, other sections of the act are used, like Section 135.
Reforms of Section 136 Act
Over the years, the law has reformed alot. Updates aim to improve care for vulnerable people. Key changes include:
Shorter detention time:
- Initially the maximum time was 72 hours. Now it is 1 day, with a possible 12-hour extension.
Police Stations as a Last Option:
- People under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act rarely go to police cells. Hospitals or mental health units are better options.
Better training:
- Police officers now get training. They learn how to handle mental health crises.

When Can Police Use Section 136 Act?
Police use Section 136 Mental Health Act when:
- A person appears mentally unwell.
- The person is in a public place.
- There is a risk to the person or other people’s security.
The police must:
- Assess the situation quickly.
- Make sure the person gets the needed support.
Role of Expert Doctors
Doctors, mental health, and other experts play a big role. After detention, they assess the person. Their job is to:
- Check if the person needs treatment.
- Decide if the person can go home safely.
- Make sure the person’s rights are respected.
How Does Section 136 of Act 1983 Secure People?
Section 136 of the Mental Health Act balances care and freedoms. It ensures people with mental issues get help. At the same time, it safeguards their freedom. Detaining someone is a serious step. The law ensures this step is taken only when needed.
Explore more about the Mental Health Act 1983.
Why Were Changes Made?
The changes to Section 136 of Mental Health Act were made to:
- Enhance patient care.
- Reduce the use of police cells.
- Ensure quick assessments.
- Protect vulnerable people.
Rights of the Person Detained
People detained under Section 136 Mental Health Act have rights. They include:
- The right to understand why they are detained.
- Access to a lawyer.
- The right to medical care.
The law aims to ensure fairness and dignity.
Challenges with Section 136 of the Mental Health Act
While the law helps many people, still some challenges remain:
Hospital shortages:
- Not all areas have enough safe places.
Delays in assessments:
- In some cases, people wait too long for help.
Stigma:
- Some people feel shame when detained.
Get more information on Mental Health Stigma UK

Improvements in Recent Years
Recent updates aim to fix these issues:
- More funding for mental health services.
- Better police and healthcare training.
- Increased public awareness.
Get More Information With Concise Medico
Section 136 Mental Health Act is an important law. It saves lives and helps those in mental crisis. The law protects individuals while balancing public safety. Recent changes ensure better care and respect for rights. As awareness grows, society can better support those with mental health challenges. Need more information on mental health laws history? Stay informed and reach out for support today!
Get updated information from our blog section.