Detention under section 136: Why is it increasing?

There has been a significant increase in the use of section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983 in England and Wales, particularly over the past 10 years, but the reasons for this increase remain unclear. This paper presents a history of English mental-health legislation and the current evidence relating to the use of section 136. It suggests that changing police attitudes, socio-economic factors and diminished resources amongst both the police and mental-health services may have contributed towards its increase. The strain placed on health services may have also resulted in a greater reliance on the police force as an access point to NHS care and could result in the inappropriate use of section 136. With the principle of the 'least restrictive option' at the heart of the Mental Health Act, this advocates the need for reform.