Alberta passes first version of "The Mentally Disordered Act"

April 15, 1964. The first of four versions of the "Mentally Disordered" Act is passed in Alberta, Canada, also known as the "The Mental Health Act". This act defines a "mentally disordered person" as "a person who is suffering from a mental illness, mental retardation or any other disorder or disability of the mind." For the first time in legislation regarding the detention or institutionalization of people with mental disabilities, the legal justification lists the disabled person's interests, in addition to and sequentially ahead of the public interest. The Act states, "Detention of a mentally disordered person is undertaken … a) for his own protection, or b) for the protection of others."

Amendments were made to this act in 1968, 1972, and 1988.

-Amy Dyrbye

Alberta passes first version of "The Mentally Disordered Act"

April 15, 1964. The first of four versions of the "Mentally Disordered" Act is passed in Alberta, Canada, also known as the "The Mental Health Act". This act defines a "mentally disordered person" as "a person who is suffering from a mental illness, mental retardation or any other disorder or disability of the mind." For the first time in legislation regarding the detention or institutionalization of people with mental disabilities, the legal justification lists the disabled person's interests, in addition to and sequentially ahead of the public interest. The Act states, "Detention of a mentally disordered person is undertaken … a) for his own protection, or b) for the protection of others."

Amendments were made to this act in 1968, 1972, and 1988.

-Amy Dyrbye