United Kingdom January 22 2021 The Mental Health Act 1983 (MHA 1983) is a far reaching Act which has been in place for many decades. It addresses the issues of vulnerable patients in the United Kingdom and a number of safeguards for them; including, when an individual can be detained and treated for a mental health condition, against their wishes. Recently, the Department of Health and Social Care (MHA) has launched a consultation on plans to reform the MHA 1983.