Identifying the specific needs in the mental health field and supporting the protection of the rights of persons with mental health issues are priorities for both the Council of Europe and Armenia. Within the framework of its  Action Plan for Armenia 2023-2026, the Council of Europe provides comprehensive support to advance these goals.

For this purpose, in 2024, the Council of Europe developed the HELP Course “Mental Health and Human Rights”. The course aims to strengthen the knowledge and raise awareness among healthcare and legal professionals on applicable European human rights standards relevant for persons with mental health issues, including people in particularly vulnerable situations, such as migrants and refugees, or people deprived of liberty. 

The Armenian adaptation of this course enables a wide range of professionals from public institutions to enhance their understanding of European and national standards in mental healthcare and apply them in their daily work.

Additionally, a report on “Analysis of domestic legal framework and practice on the restriction of legal capacity of persons with mental health issues: execution of the European Court of Human Rights judgement Nikolyan vs Armenia” - was developed to further support the Government of RA in execution of the abovementioned judgement.

To support the practical implementation of the aforementioned activities, a tailor-made workshop on the rights of persons considered legally not able to consent as a result of mental health issues was organised on 8 December 2025, bringing together graduates of three editions of the HELP course “Mental Health and Human Rights” in Armenia to discuss the main findings and recommendations of an expert report and to further contribute to the execution of the judgment of the ECtHR in the case “Nikolyan vs. Armenia”, followed by practical exercises.

The event was organised by the Council of Europe as part of its Project “Protection of Human Rights in Biomedicine III” implemented within the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2023-2026.