Coercive care and human rights; a complex juxtaposition - part 1

Area of Science:

• Clinical psychology
• Human rights law
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Coercive practices in mental healthcare raise significant ethical and legal concerns.
• The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN-CRPD) provides a framework for the rights of individuals with disabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the clinical implications of the UN-CRPD in the context of mental healthcare.
• To analyze the intersection of human rights principles and coercive practices in managing mental illness.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of UN-CRPD articles and relevant clinical guidelines.
• Analysis of case studies illustrating the application of human rights in mental health settings.

Main Results:

• The UN-CRPD necessitates a shift away from involuntary treatment models towards rights-based approaches.
• Clinical practice must align with international human rights standards to ensure patient autonomy and dignity.

Conclusions:

• Effective management of mental illness requires a dual approach, integrating both clinical expertise and a strong commitment to human rights.
• Adherence to the UN-CRPD principles is crucial for ethical and person-centered mental healthcare.