Treating Mental Health Patients Through Communal Care: Views from Maqasid Al-Shariah

Abstract

Introduction: Prior to the Mental Health Act 2001, the law mandates the isolation of psychiatric patients from the community to safeguard the interest of the latter. The Mental Health Act 2001, instead, encourages rehabilitation of the patient within the community setting which provides a significant contribution to the treatment of mentally ill patients. In lieu of this, the Act establishes the Community Mental Health Service, where the community is seen to be the primary care provider for these patients. Community care ensures patients maintain continuity of work and connection with other people in their own community while reducing the stigma related to receiving treatment in psychiatric institutions. Method: Through doctrinal analysis, key provisions of the Community Mental Health Services outlines in the Mental Health Act 2001is analysed with assistance from maqasid shariah. Result: Community mental health is a notion that aligns with the maqasid shariah’s three fundamental pillars: individual education, justice, and bringing maslahah to the entire community. Conclusion: All three aspects of maqasid must clearly be incorporated to establish a more comprehensive policy on caring for mental patients through community-based treatment.