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Introduction

The Mental Health Act 1983 is the law in Wales and England that allows for the admission of people to hospital, with or without their consent, for the assessment and treatment of a mental disorder.

These statistics contribute to an understanding about the use of Sections 135 and 136 of the Mental Health Act across Wales and multi-agency working to respond to mental health crisis care.

Main points

During the quarter ending September 2024

  • There were 23 Section 135 and 574 Section 136 detentions in Wales.
  • The highest proportion of all detentions were females.
  • 94.6% of all detentions were 18 years of age or over. 
  • 93.1% of people detained were in the White ethnic group.
  • 67.3% of people detained were taken to a health based place of safety as their first place of safety with a police vehicle being the most likely method of transport there.
  • Following assessment, 43.2% of people detained were discharged with a community based mental health plan of care.

Contact details

Statistician: Helen Roberts
Email: hss.performance@gov.wales

Media: 0300 025 8099