My Views, My Treatment

The Mental Welfare Commission is encouraging all people in Scotland who have received hospital treatment for mental health problems, to have their say on their future treatment, should they become mentally unwell in the future.

Advance statements set out the treatment a person would prefer - or the treatment that they do not want because they know it does not work for them - if they become ill again and are unable to make their own decisions. They are written by patients, and must be taken account of by doctors before treatment is given.

From April 2017, health professionals in Scotland will have a legal obligation to let the Mental Welfare Commission know if a patient has an advance statement.

Around a hundred health professionals and people who have experienced mental ill health will come together at an event tomorrow (Thursday) organised by the Mental Welfare Commission.

The event launches a year-long project to encourage greater use of advance statements, and to spread tips on what they should contain to ensure their constructive use. A series of short films featuring people with first-hand experience of advance statements will also be unveiled.

Colin McKay, chief executive of the Mental Welfare Commission, said:

"Advance statements are not new, but the legal requirement to alert the Commission if an individual has one will come into force next year.

"Anecdotally we believe around only 5% of those treated for mental health problems have an advance statement, and we would like to see this figure significantly increase. They are written when a person with mental health problems is well, and they allow people to have their voice heard if they become unwell again. Knowing that their views will be heard can be a real comfort to that individual, and to their family."

Dr Alastair Cook, chair of The Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland, added:

"Culture is changing, in that clinicians are adopting a far more collaborative approach, acting more as a guide to patients with mental health problems on the best possible treatment. However, that partnership can become difficult when a person is too unwell to make their views known. "

An advance statement can help a clinician to retain an element of that joint approach at what is very difficult time for the patient."

Mental health service user, Dianna Manson who was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia 50 years ago, when she was just 17 has seen the benefits of having an advance statement in place. She said:

"One incident really brought home to me how important having an advance statement is. I was sectioned last year when I became ill and was having a particularly disturbed night. All of a sudden I heard Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto being played in the ward and I immediately calmed. The health professional had taken the time to read my advance statement and learned of my affection for music and in particular this piece of music.

"The influence that had on me negated the need to be strapped down and given medication, what a huge difference that made to both my treatment and my dignity."

Dianna echoes Dr Cook's partnership approach, adding:

"I'd urge those who have been treated for mental health to prepare an advance statement but to do it in conjunction with their health professionals and their 'named person' - a carer, friend or family member - to ensure it's as constructive as possible. The advance statement and that named person is your link between sanity and insanity when you become ill."

Shona Robison, Cabinet Secretary for Health, Mental Wellbeing and Sport, said:

"Improving the quality of care and treatment of people with mental health problems is a priority for the Scottish Government.

"The films produced by the Mental Welfare Commission will help raise awareness of the importance of writing an advance statement, to ensure that people have their say on their own personal mental health care and treatment."

Some of the films are aimed at patients, and some are for psychiatrists and other mental health professionals, who also need to be made aware of the legal changes that are due in 2017.

View the films here or find guidance and advice about writing an advance statement here.