Overdose.....

[ELVIS68]

If someone takes an overdose can they section themselves or do they have to be sectioned by someone else, if so how long are they kept in for?

The reason I ask is a colleague at work took an overdose and we were told that he sectioned himself but then checked himself out 4 days later and went missing.

[Mamyalynne]

In the bare bones of it you cannot actually get yourself sectioned ...you can ask to be admitted for help.

http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/expertadvice/problems/beingsectionedengland.aspx

[shoota]

I believe that you can voluntarily admit yourself and can therefore leave at any time unless you are subsequently officially sectioned.
Only Police/mental health workers can organise a 'section', as far as I am aware.

[shoota]

Has someone reported him as missing?

[Mamyalynne]

Oh my - is there no family you can ask to confirm he is ok??

[ELVIS68]

He's since been found by his brother, that's all I know so far and apparently he's still in a bad way.
I was surprised he was able to check himself out

[ladyalex]

As Mamya said, you can ask for help, but the only way you can be admitted to a NHS hospital is if a Dr admits you.

Being sectioned under the mental health act is a very serious thing with many implications for a person's future. Being sectioned is never done lightly and is bound up with many conditions which must be met before a section can be done.
Not many people are sectioned, ie detained against their will.
If someone has agreed to go into hospital, they are free to leave at any time.

If the person that you speak of did not meet the conditions for being sectioned, then the staff had no option but to allow him to leave .