Mental health conditions affect how people feel, think and act, as well as how they handle stress and relate to other people. Mental health issues can impact on the decision-making ability of some people. This may be episodic or temporary and the people affected may require support for decision-making for short or for long periods of time.
People with mental health issues who are subject to involuntary treatment are some of the most vulnerable members of our community. For this reason, the Public Advocate has had a long-standing interest in the operation of Queensland’s mental health system, particularly the areas of the system that relate to the involuntary treatment of people with mental health issues.