Mike’s mental status has a great impact on himself. Individuals suffering from mental disorders often face stigma and discrimination at all stages of life which can significantly impede their pursuit and achievement of their recovery goals (Yanos, Roe & Markus, 2008). The stigma becomes a significant hindrance to seeking help, and can lead to negative attitudes about mental health treatment and discourage …show more content…
The moral principles of respect for autonomy enables the patient to be the right choosers of their recommended medication, treatment or associated care as long as their self-determining choices do not violate another individual’s autonomy (Beauchamp & Childress, 2013).
Mike is admitted to an inpatient psychiatric ward involuntarily. As part of his treatment he may require some medications after assessment and diagnosis have been made by medical personnel. It is the nurse’s responsibility under the Health and Disability Act (MOH, 2009) to “seek to obtain the consent of the patient to any treatment even though that treatment may be authorised by or under this Act without the patient's consent” (Ministry of Health, 2009, pg 18). On offering the medication, the nurse is required to explain what the medication is for and the benefits it offers him. Mike has a right to refuse the medications and this need to be recorded and reported to the medical personnel responsible (Ministry of Health, 2009). However, if Mike refuses treatment and presents an imminent threat of danger to self or others, then the moral ethic principle of non-maleficence which states do no harm, is at risk and to protect Mike and others from harm, Mike may be involuntarily committed to a treatment even though this action may violate his rights to autonomy (Barker, 2009; MOH, 2009). In Mike’s case,