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What is mental illness?

Mental illness is a medical condition that is characterised by a significant disturbance of thought, mood, perception or memory.

Treatment for mental illness (by a registered health practitioner, such as a doctor or nurse) is considered to be medical treatment under the Medical Treatment Planning and Decisions Act 2016.

Advance care planning and mental illness

If you are engaging in advance care planning and have previously had, or currently have, a mental illness, you should consider your legal options to document:

  • your preferences and values for any treatment for mental illness, in either or both an advance statement of preferences or advance care directive
  • who you would like to make medical treatment decisions for you
  • who you would like to support you.