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Who we are and what we do

The Mental Welfare Commission is an independent organisation working to safeguard the rights and welfare of everyone with a mental illness. learning disability, or other mental disorder.  Our duties are set out in mental health and incapacity law.

We are made up of people who have understanding and experience of mental illness and learning disability. Some of us have worked in healthcare, social work, or the law.  Some of us are carers or have used mental health and learning disability services ourselves.

We believe that everyone with a mental illness, learning disability, or other mental disorder should:

  • be treated with dignity and respect;
  • have the right to treatment that is allowed by law and fully meets professional standards;
  • have the right to live free from abuse, neglect or discrimination;
  • get the care and treatment that best suits his or her needs;
  • be enabled to live as fulfilling a life as possible

Our work

  • We find out whether individual treatment is in line with the law and practices that we know work well.
  • We challenge those who provide services for people with a mental illness, or learning disability, to make sure they provide the highest standards of care.
  • We provide advice, information and guidance to people who use or provide services
  • We have a strong and influential voice in how services and policies are developed.
  • We gather information about how mental health and incapacity law are being applied. We use that information to promote good use of these laws in Scotland