Fear of Sectioning

Hi all

On reading the B&W NEWS I’ve suddenly begun to wonder if those with Diagnosed Mental Health Conditions fail to declare any suicidal thoughts they may have on their ESA 50s for fear of Sectioning.

So, my question based on the above is, whether the DWP themselves have/would have the powers/facilities to have a client sectioned?

If the answer to the above is no, maybe more Mental Health Claimants’ would be MORE detailed/honest on their forms, which surely, can only help themselves and, sometimes, heaven forbid, retrospectively help others’?

I’ve purposely tried to choose my words carefully and be as diplomatic as possible!

Many thanks

P

This is a difficult subject to discuss on a forum.

The short answer is I don't know. I don't think it would occur to an assessor to try to get someone sectioned unless they were attacked and the attacker was deemed not in control of their actions at the time. Obviously this probably wouldn't be down to the assessor as they would call the police and have them arrested. The decision to section would then be passed to another authority.