Abstract
Background:Legislative backing exists to set up free legal aid clinics in psychiatric hospitals to provide legal assistance to their patients.Aims:This study aimed to assess the utility of a free legal aid clinic running inside a mental health establishment.Methods:In this prospective study, 71 subjects (chosen via convenience sampling) were recruited. Assessments were carried out at baseline and two months after intake. Legal needs and the legal outcomes were assessed.Results:Most of the legal issues were either family-related (50.7%) or civil issues (28.2%). A majority of patients (64.4%) had implemented the advice given at the clinic. Those who had implemented the advice had a better legal outcome, defined as either resolution of the legal issue or that the legal issue was in an active proceeding compared to those who had not implemented the advice (P = 0.007).Conclusion:The provision of free legal aid services in mental health establishments would benefit patients.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.