As November concludes, BEST Foundation have wrapped up Mental Capacity Month, celebrating a successful campaign dedicated to sharing valuable insights, exploring the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, and reflecting on how these principles shape interactions with clients of all ages.
Throughout the month, the campaign fostered meaningful discussions and offered practical guidance, enabling professionals to better understand and address mental capacity issues with compassion and expertise. Here is a summary of the campaign’s key highlights and takeaways.
The campaign began by revisiting the fundamentals: mental capacity is the ability to make informed decisions by understanding situations, options, and potential consequences. Through workshops and discussions, participants reviewed the five core principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005:
A key theme of the campaign was the growing relevance of mental capacity issues among younger age groups. With a noted rise in mental disorders among children and young adults, the importance of tailored planning strategies across varying circumstances was highlighted.
The BEST Foundation emphasised the distinction between mental health and mental capacity. Understanding this distinction is essential for safeguarding clients’ interests while respecting their mental health and capacity needs.
The BEST Foundation was thrilled with the community’s engagement and participation. The webinars and workshops hosted by Nellie Supports and Arken Legal were particularly impactful, fostering vibrant discussions and offering practical insights.
As Mental Capacity Month concludes, the BEST Foundation encourages participants to keep these learnings at the forefront of their practices.