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The dramatic increase in the number of people being detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 shows that mental health services “are driven by fear”, leading mental health organisations warned, writes Katie Leason.

Department of health figures reveal that the number of men detained under the act has increased by 40 per cent over the last decade, and the number of women by 19 per cent.

Mental Health Alliance chairperson Paul Farmer warned that the situation could grow worse: “As it stands, the government’s draft mental health bill is likely to significantly increase the use of compulsory powers."

Rethink’s head of policy and campaigns Paul Corry said that the government’s programme of investment in improving mental health services must be accelerated.

“We know that one in three people are turned away from services when they seek help. People are often left to become so ill that they find themselves under a compulsory detention order when early intervention could have prevented this traumatic experience,” he said.

There were 13,500 patients detained in hospital at the end of March this year, with 1,200 in high security psychiatric hospitals, 10,400 in other NHS facilities and 1,900 in private mental nursing homes.