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Legislation and policy for involuntary mental healthcare across countries in the FOSTREN network: rationale, development of mapping survey and protocol
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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Background
Several countries are currently revising or have already revised
their mental health laws to align with the global movement to
reduce the use of coercive care. No government has yet fully
implemented the recommendation of the United Nations
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD)
to eliminate the use of coercion in mental healthcare.
Consequently, the international field of mental health law and
policy is in a degree of flux.
Aims
To describe the rationale, development and protocol for a project
that will map and examine how mental health laws, policies and
service capacity across European countries relate to the use of
coercive measures, including involuntary admissions and treatment,
restraints and seclusion. This will help to better understand
the current situation and explore future directions of
policies regarding coercive care.
Method
The project is being carried out under the purview of the
European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) action
network, entitled FOSTREN (Fostering and Strengthening
Approaches to Reducing Coercion in European Mental Health
Services). A multidisciplinary group of experts developed a
comprehensive survey assessing mental health laws, policies
and service frameworks, based on World Health Organization
and UNCRPD recommendations. The survey was piloted in three
countries, revised and disseminated to 30 FOSTREN country
representatives. The survey will provide data for three strands of
work on legislation, policies and service-level context. A comprehensive
evaluation will be conducted, drawing on findings
from all work packages.
Conclusions
The project could inform the development of strategies, interventions
and legislation to address gaps and promote compliance
with international standards.
Description
Keywords
Coercion mental health legislation policies Europe United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Pedagogical Context
Citation
Aluh, D. O., Lantta, T., Lourenço, T., Birkeland, S. F., Castelpietra, G., Dedovic, J., Caldas-de-Almeida, J. M., & Rugkåsa, J. (2024). Legislation and policy for involuntary mental healthcare across countries in the FOSTREN network: rationale, development of mapping survey and protocol. BJPsych Open, 10(5)