Section 117

Under Section 117, health authorities and local social services have a legal duty to provide free aftercare for people who havve been discharged under the Mental Health Sections 3, 37, 45A, 47 or 48. The duty to provide aftercare also applies of you are given Section 17 leave or are under a community treatment order.

Aftercare services in the aftercare plan should be provided free of charge. The services:

• will meet a need relating to your mental health problem

• should prevent a deterioration in your mental health that would mean you had to return to hospital.