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→First Steps
# If you have a relative who has been involuntarily detained in a mental health facility, you should immediately call the facility—usually a hospital in your area. If you don’t know which facility it is, contact your local Health Authority (see the blue pages of the phone book).
# Let the facility know what support you are able to provide to your relative, and ask if and when they are planning to release them.
# As soon as is practicable, your relative should be notified of their rights under the Mental Health Act. They should be given Form 13, "Notification to Involuntary Patient of Rights Under The Mental Health Act".# Completion of the 2nd Medical Certificate gives the facility the right to give treatment to your relative - including medication - even if your relative does not wish this.# Your relative has the right to know the reason's for their detention. They have the right to have a copy of their medical certificate(s) unless the facility believes this information will cause serious harm to you or cause harm to others.# If your relative continues to be detained against their will for more than 48 hours, they—or you on their behalf—may request a hearing by a mental health Review Panel. This is an independent panel of 3 people, who will decide if the conditions that led to your relative’s detention criteria for certification still exist. You, or your relative, may apply for the Review Panel by completing a Form 7, Application for Review Panel Hearing.
# Your relative is entitled to be represented by a lawyer or mental health advocate at a Review Panel hearing. If they can’t afford a lawyer on their own, you should see if they qualify for legal aid representation (see #36- Legal Aid representation, in Part 2 of this Guide for information about applying for legal aid).
# You, or your relative, can also get information, and sometimes representation at a Review Panel hearing through the Community Legal Assistance Society’s Mental Health Law Program (604) 685-3425).