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

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.