On 14-15 November 2014, Council of Europe (CoE) is organising training on “Human Rights of People with Mental Disorders and Medical Ethics”. The training, organised in the framework of the European Union/Council of Europe Joint Programme on “Human Rights in Prisons and Other Closed Institutions”, is addressed to directors and deputy directors of psychiatric institutions.

The training will focus on the basic principles and international standards pertinent to psychiatric hospitals and mental health care and promote application of Human Rights based approach by the management of psychiatric institutions in their everyday work.

CoE international and local trainers will discuss a broad range of issues related to protection of human rights in psychiatric institutions, including the provision of psychiatric services on community level and its benefits. The training is interactive and allows trainees to reflect and discuss on the on-going process of deinstitutionalization and the need for systemic changes adapted to the country specific context. Tools for humanizing treatment and instruments of monitoring psychiatric institutions for ensuring respect of patients’ human rights will also be reviewed at the training.

The European Union/Council of Europe Joint Programme “Human Rights in Prisons and Other Closed Institutions” was launched in July 2013. It aims to strengthen human rights and improve access to healthcare for persons deprived of their liberty.