The Mental Health (Care and Treatment) Act 2008 of Singapore[1] was passed in 2008 to regulate the involuntary detention of a person in a psychiatric institution for the treatment of a mental disorder, or in the interest of the health and safety of the person or the persons around him.
[2] Form 1 in the first schedule of the act empowers a designated medical practitioner at a psychiatric institution to admit a person suffering from a mental disorder into the psychiatric institution, and detain the person for up to 72 hours.
At least 12 visitors are appointed at any time, and at least 6 have to be medical practitioners.
2 or more visitors have to visit the designated psychiatric institution at least once every 3 months.
Form 5 in the First Schedule of the act is an order made by a Magistrate, which allows for the person to be detained for a further 12 months.