Precepts of the Mental Health Care Act No. 17 of 2002 include:
- All patients with mental illness and/or severe to profound intellectual disability receive mental health care as either Voluntary, Assisted or Involuntary Mental Health Care Users.
- All registered medical practitioners, professional nurses, psychologists, occupational therapists (OTs), and social workers whose training includes mental health are designated Mental Health Care Practitioners.
- Mental health care practitioners and heads of health establishments at PHC and Hospital Adults level must be familiar with MHCA Forms 01 – 13A, 14, 17, 22, 25, 26, 27, 48.
- The South African Police Service have an obligation to protect, apprehend, and assist with transfer of people with mental illness to and between health establishments.