One other point to be note, carers have some strong rights under the Act, such as to always to be able to provide information to doctors assessing mental health for example (s72A), with or without permission from the person they are supporting.

However, simply ignoring someones wishes, especially if this is not done with any subtelty can be very disempowering and in fact traumatising, especlially if a person has lost a lot of control through involuntary treatment. Trauma causes or worsens mental illness in many cases, and so can hamper recovery.

So, even when you 'have the right' remember always to use those rights respectfully and compasionately and in a way that does not emphasive the powerlessness of the person you are trying to support. (Easier said than done in practise!)