This is used for someone who will not be admitted voluntarily. Patients who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs are specifically excluded

Section 2

• admission for assessment for up to 28 days, not renewable
• an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) or rarely the nearest relative (NR) makes the application on the recommendation of 2 doctors
• one of the doctors should be 'approved' under Section 12(2) of the Mental Health Act (usually a consultant psychiatrist)
• treatment can be given against a patient's wishes

Section 3

• admission for treatment for up to 6 months, can be renewed
• AMHP along with 2 doctors, both of which must have seen the patient within the past 24 hours
• treatment can be given against a patient's wishes

Section 4

• 72 hour assessment order
• used as an emergency, when a section 2 would involve an unacceptable delay
• a GP and an AMHP or NR
• often changed to a section 2 upon arrival at hospital

Section 5(2)

• a patient who is a voluntary patient in hospital can be legally detained by a doctor for 72 hours

Section 5(4)

• similar to section 5(2), allows a nurse to detain a patient who is voluntarily in hospital for 6 hours