Mental health care
The issue of mental health is expected to be one of the biggest challenges facing healthcare systems in the future. Mental healthcare should be treated no differently to physical healthcare in that a human rights-based approach should be adopted in both. It is vital that the rights and self-determination of all patients, including persons with mental health difficulties, be promoted and that they may actively participate to the greatest possible extent in all decisions regarding their treatment and care. In this context, the development and use of voluntary measures and practices in mental healthcare should be promoted.
The Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine (CETS 164, Oviedo Convention) aimed at protecting the dignity and identity of all human beings and guarantee everyone, without discrimination, respect for their integrity and other rights and fundamental freedoms with regard to the application of biology and medicine.
- Recommendation on respect for autonomy in mental healthcare | 2024
- Report on the case law of the European Court of Human Rights relevant to mental health | 2023
- Draft Additional Protocol to the Convention on human rights and biomedicine concerning the protection of human rights and dignity of persons with regard to involuntary placement and involuntary treatment within mental healthcare services | 2022
- Compendium: Good Practices to Promote Voluntary Measures in Mental Health Services | 2021
- Statement on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities | 2011
- Recommendation No. Rec(2004)10 of the Committee of Ministers to member states concerning the protection of the human rights and dignity of persons with mental disorder and its Explanatory Memorandum | 2004
- "White Paper" on the protection of the human rights and dignity of people suffering from mental disorder, especially those placed as involuntary patients in a psychiatric establishment | 2000