Safety issues in mental health

Abstract

People with mental health conditions are at a specific risk of harm when in healthcare. Mental health and well-being are often not given the same priority as physical health. The type of risk to the individual is dependent on the context, which can be a mental health facility or a general hospital. The main areas of concern are self-harm, including suicide, delayed diagnosis, misdiagnosis, and medication harm. These risks are amplified in health facilities that do not have the skills to meet the needs of individuals with mental health problems in appropriate environments. In non-mental health facilities, proactive action can prevent harm by assessing the environment, the organizational culture, and attitudes to mental health, as well as the skills of the staff. Care should be personalized and person-centred, should focus on recovery and trauma prevention, and should be culturally responsive.