Mental Health Act to cover severe substance use if life-threatening

Open for signatures 152 signatures

What the petition asks

We call on the Government to amend the Mental Health Act to include severe substance use disorder. Currently, this alone does not meet the threshold for detention. If a person is deemed to have mental capacity, they can refuse treatment even if their addiction is causing life-threatening harm.

I am calling on the Government to amend the Mental Health Act to address, what in our view, is a dangerous gap in severe addiction cases. When substance dependence is causing life-threatening harm, services may decline assessment because addiction alone does not meet Mental Health Act thresholds. We believe this leaves professionals and families powerless while people deteriorate. We need a statutory duty to assess high-risk cases and lawful pathways to intervene to preserve life.

Timeline

8 Apr 2026

Petition opened for signatures

Key facts

Signatures 152

Status Open for signatures

Department Department of Health and Social Care

Opened 8 Apr 2026

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