Mental health law

There is a growing recognition of mental illness and its impact on the community. With the intensification of medical, social, policy and media focus on people suffering from mental illness, mental health law has emerged as an important field of inquiry.

With the newly established Centre for the Advancement of Law and Mental Health, Monash University is taking the lead in this important field.

The centre is undertaking pioneering research into current mental healthcare and legal systems and opportunities for reform. More specifically, our researchers are examining Australia's state and federal mental health laws relating to involuntary detention and sentencing of mentally ill offenders.

Infrastructure

The Centre for the Advancement of Law and Mental Health is in the Law Faculty of Monash University's Clayton campus. The Clayton campus is in the heart of the rapidly growing South East Melbourne Innovation Precinct Region.

Working with industry

Our reseachers undertake extensive work with and for government, legal and judicial agencies, and the community sector.  We consult on mental health laws, assist with the creation of practice manuals, provide advice on new legislation and policy and contribute to many projects and reform activities related to mental health law.

Past and current partners include:

• Australia and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology and Law (ANZAPPL)
• Council of Australasian Tribunals
• Department of Health and Human Services, Tasmania
• Department of Health, Victoria
• Department of Justice, Victoria
• Mental Health Legal Centre of Victoria
• Mental Health Review Board of Victoria
• National Justice CEOs Group
• Sentencing Advisory Council
• The Australasian Institute of Judicial Administration
• Victorian Law Reform Commission
• Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council
• Western Mental Health Commission, Australia