Hamer, HPLampshire, DThom, KSutton, DMacIntyre, GCogan, N2026-03-012026-03-012026-02-18International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, ISSN: 1445-8330 (Print); 1447-0349 (Online), Wiley, 35(1), e70234-. doi: 10.1111/inm.702341445-83301447-0349http://hdl.handle.net/10292/20694The prevailing culture of risk aversion and defensive practice within mental health systems significantly undermines recovery and well-being. In response, many Western jurisdictions are undergoing a fundamental transformation of mental health legislation, shifting towards a human rights-based approach. This transition emphasises supported decision-making, a reduction in coercive practices, and a stronger focus on recovery-oriented care. As services shift towards being human rights-led, clinicians need to move from making decisions for individuals in their best interests to considering what support is required to enable people to make their own choices; a difficult shift within services that remain risk-averse within a substitute decision-making regime. This paper reconceptualises risk not solely as a threat to be managed, but as a potential catalyst for recovery and empowerment. The authors call for a movement away from defensive, risk-averse models towards defensible and considered practices that thoughtfully balance safety with individual autonomy. At the heart of this shift is the innovative Dimensions of Safety framework, which assists practitioners in navigating complex decision-making processes while aligning their approaches with both human rights principles and the person's right to self-determination. This framework encourages therapeutic risk-taking as a means of fostering personal growth, resilience and empowerment. Furthermore, it incorporates cultural and spiritual dimensions to ensure care is equitable and inclusive. A trauma-informed perspective is also central, recognising the impact of past adversity on current mental health and decision-making skills. By challenging the dominance of substituted decision-making and promoting collaborative, rights-based care, this framework offers a practical and ethical pathway towards mental health systems that are safer, more inclusive and genuinely supportive of recovery and autonomy.© 2026 The Author(s). International Journal of Mental Health Nursing published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License, which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made.human rights‐based approachmental health practicerisk aversionsupported decision‐makingtherapeutic risk‐taking4203 Health Services and Systems42 Health SciencesMental HealthBasic Behavioral and Social ScienceBehavioral and Social Science8.3 Policy, ethics, and research governanceMental healthGeneric health relevance3 Good Health and Well Being1110 Nursing1117 Public Health and Health Services1701 PsychologyNursing3904 Specialist studies in education4203 Health services and systems4205 NursingHumansDecision MakingMental DisordersMental Health ServicesRisk-TakingHumansRisk-TakingDecision MakingMental DisordersMental Health ServicesHumansDecision MakingMental DisordersMental Health ServicesRisk-TakingJournal ArticleOpenAccess10.1111/inm.70234