Coercion: an understudied issue in mental health

Area of Science:

• Mental Health Services Research
• Psychiatry
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• Coercion within mental health services remains a significant, yet under-researched, area globally.
• International research is synthesized to address critical issues surrounding coercion and involuntary admission.
• Existing literature often lacks comprehensive exploration of service user experiences and alternative therapeutic frameworks.

Discussion:

• Thematic exploration of community treatment orders and their impact on patient autonomy.
• Analysis of diverse service user perspectives on involuntary treatment and coercion.
• Examination of innovative, collaborative models for involving service users in treatment decisions.

Key Insights:

• Involuntary admission and community treatment orders are prevalent but lack sufficient research.
• Service user perspectives are crucial for understanding the lived experience of coercion.
• Alternative treatment models show promise in reducing reliance on coercive practices.

Outlook:

• Future research should prioritize understanding the nuances of coercion across different cultural contexts.
• Increased funding is recommended to stimulate further investigation into ethical and effective mental healthcare.
• Development and evaluation of non-coercive interventions are essential for patient-centered care.