Mental Health Review Board Members’ understanding of the policy guideline on 72-hour assessment

Abstract

Background: The Mental Health Care Act (No 17 of 2002) promotes the involvement of Mental Health Review Board (MHRB) members in the oversight, execution and evaluation of assessments and admissions of individuals in accordance with the 72-h policy guidelines. However, the MHRB experiences dissatisfaction with the implementation of policy guidelines on 72-h assessment of involuntary Mental Health Care Users (MHCUs).

Objectives: This study explores and describes the MHRB members’ understanding of the policy guidelines on 72-h assessment of involuntary MHCUs in South Africa.

Method: A qualitative exploratory, descriptive and contextual research design was used. Data were collected using Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) from MHRB from three provinces of South Africa, namely North West, Northern Cape and Gauteng. Three FGDs involving a total of 13 participants were conducted.

Results: Three themes emerged from the data, namely: MHRBs’ understanding of the policy guideline on 72-h assessment of involuntary MHCUs, MHRBs’ challenges with the policy guideline on 72-h assessment of involuntary MHCUs and MHRBs’ recommendations to strengthen the implementation of policy guideline on 72-h assessment of involuntary MHCUs.

Conclusion: Certain issues regarding dissatisfaction related to improper implementation of the 72-h policy guideline persist. Therefore, MHRB recommends that there should be skilled Mental Health Care Practitioners, adequate infrastructure, community involvement, and family and stakeholder collaboration to improve care towards the involuntary MHCUs.

Contribution: The study illustrated there is a need to strengthen the implementation of 72-h assessment of involuntary MHCUs through ensuring enough human resources, designated facilities and involvement of the community as raised by the MHRBs.