Risk for Self-Harm or Harm to Others: Definition and Assessment of Dangerousness

Abstract

The Mental Health Act of 1995 was fully revised on May 29, 2016, and implemented on May 30, 2017, under the name of the Mental Health Promotion and Mental Health Service Support Act (Mental Health Welfare Act). The act newly defined mentally ill people as those with significant limitations in independent daily life and reduced their classification based on severity. Before the revision, patients could be admitted to the hospital if satisfied with the risk of self-injury or harm to others or the need for treatment. The self-injury and harm to others risk criteria for involuntary admission is based on the idea of respecting patients’ right to self-determination. However, predicting future risks can be challenging, and the situation at the time of judgment should be considered. This study aims to examine the administrative and legal interpretation of the self-injury or harm to others risk for involuntary admission, review definitions and evaluations of the risk of self-harm in various areas, and suggest improvements for mental health policies or guidelines.