Review opens into investigations of mental health deaths

Peopple who have lost a loved one who suffered mental health difficulties are being asked for their experiences of any investigations into the death.

Scottish ministers have opened the invitation in a new survey as part of a review of the arrangements currently in place for investigating the deaths of people who use mental health services, including those who have committed suicide.

The survey forms part of the Scottish Government’s work to review the arrangements for investigating the deaths of patients who at the time of death were in hospital, voluntarily or subject to detention, for treatment for mental disorder, as set out in s 37 of the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 2015.

Family members, carers or friends of someone who died can tell about what investigation there was (or even if there was no investigation at all). Several different organisations can be involved in looking into what happened, including health and social care organisations as well as justice organisations and others.

The information provided will help to inform the final report which will be presented to the Scottish Parliament in December 2018.

Click here to access the survey. It closes on 31 August 2018.