Lived experiences of Compulsory Community Treatment Orders

This report looks at compulsory community treatment orders (CCTOs) made under section 29 of the Mental Health Act 1992. The focus is on amplifying voices of tāngata whaiora, whānau, and family.

We heard that the clinical review and the court hearing processes involved in CCTOs can silence or override tāngata whaiora and whānau perspectives. The report also documents how clinical reviews and court hearings marginalise Te Ao Māori and lived experience perspectives. 

The number of people subjected to a Compulsory Community Treatment Order under the Mental Health Act increased by 8% between 2017 and 2021.   

In the 2020/21 year, almost 7,000 people were under compulsory treatment in our communities. We also report that Māori are more likely to be subject to CCTOs than other populations in Aotearoa. 

Te Hiringa Mahara is calling for

Replacement of the law:

• We want to see the new mental health law based on supported decision making, and embedding Te Tiriti o Waitangi and a Te Ao Māori worldview.

Practices that need to change now under the current Mental Health Act 1992:

• We want to see a reduction in the number of applications and outcomes granted for CCTOs, and a reduction in the rate of CCTO use.
• We want to see a reduction in the inequitable use of CCTOs for Māori and Pacific.
• We want to see services and courts implementing cultural and other practices that ensure tāngata whaiora as well as whānau and family perspectives are heard, and tāngata whaiora make the decisions about their care.