Mental health law in Denmark

Abstract

In Denmark, the parliament passed the first Mental Health Act (MHA) in 1938. A new Act was passed in 1989, based on a thorough report from the Ministry of Justice. The 1989 Act emphasised the protection of citizens' legal rights in relation to compulsory admission, detention and treatment in psychiatric hospitals. That Act is still in operation, although it has been amended several times. In 2006 the definition of ‘compulsion’ was changed, and a 2010 amendment introduced compulsory treatment in the community for a trial period of 4 years.