Mental health legal status code N

Representational attributes

Collection and usage attributes

CODE 1     Involuntary patient

Involuntary patient should only be used by facilities which are approved for this purpose. While each state and territory mental health legislation differs in the number of categories of involuntary patient that are recognised, and the specific titles and legal conditions applying to each type, the legal status categories which provide for compulsory detention or compulsory treatment of the patient can be readily differentiated within each jurisdiction. These include special categories for forensic patients who are charged with or convicted of some form of criminal activity. Each state/territory health authority should identify which sections of their mental health legislation provide for detention or compulsory treatment of the patient and code these as involuntary status.

CODE 2     Voluntary patient

Voluntary patient to be used for reporting to the Community mental health care NMDS, where applicable.

CODE 9     Not reported/unknown

This code is to be used if the mental health legal status for the patient is either not reported or unknown.