Mental Health Care Act

In South Africa, mental health care is regulated by the Mental Health Care Act No 17 of 2002. Overall responsibility lies with the national Department of Health. The Act provides for the care, treatment and rehabilitation of the mentally ill and emphasises the rights of patients.

Please visit our Hospital admission topic for practical information about hospital admissions in terms of the Mental Health Care Act, and for a downloadable version of the MHCA 04 form.

Mental Health Care Act and Regulations

Mental Health Care Act No 17 of 2002

Purpose of the Act

“To provide for the care, treatment and rehabilitation of persons who are mentally ill; to set out different procedures to be followed in the admission of such persons; to establish Review Boards in respect of every health establishment; to determine their powers and functions; to provide for the care and administration of the property of mentally ill persons; to repeal certain laws; and to provide for matters connected therewith.”

General Regulations, Government Gazette 40515, 23 Dec 2016

Latest amendments to the Mental Health Care Act (MHCA) regulations. Contains the latest versions of all the MHCA forms.