The present study explored awareness and opinions pertaining to mental health legislation in Pakistan in the context of the United Nation Convention on Rights of People with Disabilities (UNCRPD) through a mixed method research design. In the quantitative arm of the study, a structured questionnaire examined awareness and opinions of key stakeholders pertaining to national mental health legislation. In the qualitative arm, face-to-face interviews further elaborated stakeholders perspectives pertaining to these topics with thematic analysis conducted. Stakeholders demonstrated a good awareness of legislation pertaining to guardianship (83.0 %) appointment of property managers (89.7%) and salary or pension entitlements (89.2%). Compared to other stakeholders, patients had less understanding of processes pertaining to involuntary admission (χ² = 20.54, p = 0.02) and appointing a guardian (χ² = 34.67, p < 0.01). High consensus across stakeholders was noted for processes of involuntary detention (83.5%) and appointment of guardians or property managers (80.0%) albeit patients demonstrated less agreement on these topics (p <0.01). Minimal support was noted for an involuntary patient to be discharged solely on a psychiatrist’s recommendation (25.4%). Thematic analysis indicated fifteen emergent themes: 1) Alienation/ Seclusion; 2) Capacity building; 3) Communication Gap; 4) Conflict of interests; 5) Discomfort at hospital; 6) Economic burden; 7) Government’s liability; 8) Family involvement; 9) Imbalance; 10) Acceptance of Legal Incapacity; 11) Legal reforms; 12) Patient centred environment; 13) Quality assurance; 14) Under developed infrastructure and 15) Potential unethical practices. This study advocates for increased patient involvement in collaborative decision making with mental health professionals and the creation of more appropriate inpatient treatment environments.

本研究通过混合方法研究设计，在《联合国残疾人权利公约》（UNCRPD）的背景下，探讨了与巴基斯坦精神卫生立法有关的意识和意见。在研究的定量部分，结构化问卷调查了关键利益相关者对国家精神卫生立法的认识和意见。在定性方面，面对面访谈进一步阐述了与这些主题相关的利益相关者观点，并进行了专题分析。利益相关者表现出对有关监护权 (83.0%) 任命财产经理 (89.7%) 和工资或养老金权利 (89.2%) 的立法意识良好。与其他利益相关者相比，患者对非自愿入院相关过程的了解较少（χ² = 20.54, p = 0.02) 并指定监护人 (χ ²= 34.67，p < 0.01）。利益相关者对非自愿拘留程序 (83.5%) 和监护人或财产管理人的任命 (80.0%) 达成了高度共识，尽管患者对这些主题的同意程度较低 (p <0.01)。仅根据精神科医生的建议（25.4%）对非自愿患者出院的支持最少。主题分析指出了 15 个新兴主题：1）异化/隐居；2) 能力建设；3) 沟通鸿沟；4) 利益冲突；5) 住院不适；6) 经济负担；7) 政府责任；8) 家庭参与；9) 失衡；10) 接受无法律行为能力；11) 法律改革；12) 以患者为中心的环境；13) 质量保证；14) 基础设施欠发达和 15) 潜在的不道德行为。