Psychosis and bipolar disorder: a multisite evaluation of the United Kingdom’s (UK’s) Section 136 of the Mental Health Act (1983) detentions over a 4 year period
Kelbrick, Marlene Griffiths, Chris da Silva, Ksenija Mostafa, Khandaker Sam, Mary Paduret, Gabriela Mustafa, Feras Ali
Kelbrick, Marlene
Griffiths, Chris
da Silva, Ksenija
Mostafa, Khandaker
Sam, Mary
Paduret, Gabriela
Mustafa, Feras Ali
Abstract
Background: People with psychosis or bipolar disorder are at increased risk of coercive entry into care, with high rates of police involvement and involuntary admission. Methods: A retrospective case note review study of all s136 detentions at health-based “Places of Safety” between 1 August 2019 and 31 July 2023. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, and means. Results: Over the 4-year period, 1892 Section 136 detentions occurred, of which 383 (20%) involved patients with psychosis or bipolar disorder. The proportion of detentions involving severe mental illness increased from 15% in year 1 to 28% in year 4, with ethnic minority over-representation. Over one-third of patients (35%) experienced repeat detentions. The majority (92%) were admitted to a psychiatric hospital following detention, with 88% detained under the Mental Health Act. Despite representing only one-fifth of all detentions, this group accounted for 52% of all admissions following Section 136. Conclusion: There is a need for better preventative care pathways and culturally informed service delivery. Future evaluation of the impact of the UK Government’s Right Care Right Person initiative is needed.
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Date
2026-04-27
Type
Article
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Citation
Kelbrick M, Griffiths C, da Silva K, Mostafa K, Sam M, Paduret G, Mustafa FA. Psychosis and bipolar disorder: a multisite evaluation of the United Kingdom Section 136 of the Mental Health Act (1983) detentions over a 4-year period. Open J Psychiatry. 2026;16:213-222. doi:10.4236/ojpsych.2026.162016.