A MENTAL-HEALTH PERSPECTIVE

Mental health professionals contribute in important ways to both the c linical and ethical issues raised by cases of elder mistreatment. Thei r clinical competencies contribute to improving quality of life by dim inishing psychological suffering and the symptoms of mental illness. T hey are also used for managing the ethical issues raised by these case s, The ethics of mental health care are based on the values of benefic ence, nonmaleficence, autonomy, and justice. The value of autonomy in mental health care gives priority to an individual's long-term ability to act as independently, rationally, and fully in all aspects of life as possible. The concepts of legal and clinical competence also aid i n managing the ethical problems presented by cases of elder mistreatme nt. The ethical protocols of mental health professionals may be distin guished from some other disciplines by the premium given to long-term autonomy and by the aim of insuring treatment for all persons involved in cases of elder mistreatment, rather than limiting treatment respon sibilities to the victim.