Mental Health Foundation reacts to Mental Health Act 2025 Royal Assent
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all credits: Mental Health Foundation | published: 18 December 2025
The Mental Health Act 2025 has received Royal Assent, meaning it is now law.
Dr David Crepaz-Keay, Head of Research & Applied Learning at the Mental Health Foundation, who also has prior lived experience of being detained under the Mental Health Act, said:
“The 1983 Mental Health Act was an outdated piece of legislation which has been used during its lifespan in homophobic, racist and other discriminatory ways. The previous Act did too little to support individuals’ care, and could cause people at their most vulnerable to be detained in inappropriate settings like police stations.
"With that in mind, it is positive that the promise to improve the act, make its usage safer, and give people greater say in their care is being delivered on.
"This reform must now lead to better treatment for those in crisis, and a greater focus on support that keeps people healthy and stops them from reaching crisis point and being detained in the first place.
"Ultimately though, whether these reforms achieve the scale of change needed will be dependent on the resources the mental health sector receives."
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