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The purpose of this paper to contribute to discussions on improvements to acute mental health services by increasing the awareness of the experience of being compulsorily detained.

A thematic analysis of a literature review was undertaken, exploring patients’ experiences of compulsory detention, and is presented here alongside a lived-experience commentary. This leads into a discussion of the implications for practice.

There are three key themes identified: people’s views on the justification of their compulsory detention; the power imbalance between patients and staff; and the lack of information or choice. The lived-experience commentary adds weight to these findings by citing personal examples and making suggestions for improving services. The discussion centres on the potential of co-production between people who access services, their supporters, and professionals to improve treatment for people who may need compulsory detention. The paper also raises questions on whether current legislation and service provision can effectively deliver recovery-orientated practice.

Through bringing together research evidence and personal perspectives this paper contributes to the discussion on how services for people in crisis can be improved and raises important questions about current service provision and the legislation that underpins it.