scholarly journals HUMAN RIGHTS OF MENTALLY ILL PATIENTS

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 31-35
Author(s):  
Christos Iliadis ◽  
Aikaterini Frantzana ◽  
Aikaterini Kourkouta ◽  
Petros Ouzounakis

Introduction: Mental health is the development of a person's healthy view ofthemselves and the environment in which they live, so that they can achieve thehighest degree of self-fulfillment. Purpose: The purpose of the present work is toinvestigate and highlight the rights of the mentally ill and to promote and promotethe health of these patients. Methodology: The study material consisted of articleson the topic found in Greek and international databases such as: Google Scholar,Mednet, Pubmed, Medline and the Hellenic Academic Libraries Association(HEAL-Link), using keywords: mental illness, patient rights, health professionals. Results: The rights of mental patients and their exercise in a meaningful andeffective manner is a dynamic process that encompasses the corresponding rightsand obligations of mental health professionals. An important legal effort to protectthe rights of the mentally ill is Resolution 46/119 of the United Nations GeneralAssembly on the Protection of Persons with Mental Illness and Improving MentalHealth Care, adopted on 17 December 1991. Conclusions: The exercise of therights of the mentally ill requires their encouragement from mental healthprofessionals, who are essentially obliged to refrain from restrictive practices.

2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 423-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Bhugra ◽  
N. Sartorius ◽  
A. Fiorillo ◽  
S. Evans-Lacko ◽  
A. Ventriglio ◽  
...  

AbstractStigma against mental illness and the mentally ill is well known. However, stigma against psychiatrists and mental health professionals is known but not discussed widely. Public attitudes and also those of other professionals affect recruitment into psychiatry and mental health services. The reasons for this discriminatory attitude are many and often not dissimilar to those held against mentally ill individuals. In this Guidance paper we present some of the factors affecting the image of psychiatry and psychiatrists which is perceived by the public at large. We look at the portrayal of psychiatry, psychiatrists in the media and literature which may affect attitudes. We also explore potential causes and explanations and propose some strategies in dealing with negative attitudes. Reduction in negative attitudes will improve recruitment and retention in psychiatry. We recommend that national psychiatric societies and other stakeholders, including patients, their families and carers, have a major and significant role to play in dealing with stigma, discrimination and prejudice against psychiatry and psychiatrists.


2002 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 697-700 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Coverdale ◽  
Raymond Nairn ◽  
Donna Claasen

Objective: Because there are no published reports of depictions of mental illness in print media based on national samples, we set out to prospectively collect and analyse a near complete New Zealand sample of print media. Methods: A commercial clipping bureau was contracted to provide cuttings of all items with any mental health or illness aspect over a four week period. These items were analysed for potentially positive and negative depictions and how mental illness was represented within each item. An independent search for additional newspaper items concerning one prominently featured topic indicated that the rate of identification of relevant stories was at least 91%. Result: The collection consisted of six hundred print items which were most commonly news or editorial pieces (n = 562, 93.7%). Negative depictions predominated, with dangerousness to others (n = 368, 61.3%) and criminality (n = 284, 47.3%) being the most common. Positive depictions, including human rights themes, leadership and educational accomplishments occurred in 27% (n = 164) of all items. Generic mental illness terminology without reference to specific diagnostic categories was present in 47% of all items (n = 284). Conclusions: Negative depictions that predominate confirm the stereotypic understanding of mental illness that is stigmatizing. These findings underscore the challenge facing us as mental health professionals attempting to change attitudes towards mental disorders when the stereotypes are so regularly reinforced.


1965 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob Cohen ◽  
Elmer L. Struening

When between-hospital ( n = 12) and within-occupation group ( n = 8) differences in attitude-opinion toward the mentally ill are studied for 4784 mental hospital employees, Authoritarianism and Benevolence do not vary among mental health professionals but do for others; the reverse obtains for Interpersonal Etiology; and Social Restrictiveness differentiates in virtually all groups and most sharply in psychiatrists.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirubel Manyazewal Mussie ◽  
Félix Pageau ◽  
Helene Merkt ◽  
Tenzin Wangmo ◽  
Bernice Simone Elger

Abstract Background The population of incarcerated older adults is the fastest growing demographic in prisons. Older persons in custody have poorer health as compared with those in the community. The unmet and complex health care needs of incarcerated older adults with mental illness raise justice, safety, dignity and fairness in care as ethical concerns. As there exists research gap to better understand these concerns, the current study aimed at exploring the perspectives of mental health professionals on challenges in delivering ethically competent care to mentally ill incarcerated older adults in Canada. Methods Thirty-four semi-structured interviews were conducted between August 2017 and November 2018 with prison mental health professionals in Canada who were selected using purposive and convenience sampling techniques. The audio recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed inductively to generate themes. Results The results were distilled into three main categories and seven subcategories that related to ethical issues in the provision of health care for mentally ill incarcerated older adults. The main categories included imprisoned older persons with special care needs, lack of resources, and the peer-support program. Conclusions Results of this study showed that existing practices of care of mentally ill incarcerated older adults are characterised by challenges that increase their vulnerability to worse health conditions. It is imperative for local authorities, policy makers and representatives to prepare for and respond to the challenges that compromise ethically competent health care for, and healthy ageing of, mentally ill incarcerated older adults.


2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (5) ◽  
pp. 200-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Galloway ◽  
Billy Boland ◽  
Gareth Williams

SummaryPoverty is strongly associated with mental illness. Access to state benefits can be a lifeline for people with mental health problems in times of hardship and can assist them on their journey of recovery. However, benefit application processes can discriminate against those with mental illness and can result in individuals unjustly missing out on support. Clinical evidence from mental health professionals can ameliorate these challenges and ensure that people get access to financial help.Declaration of interestDr Billy Boland is on the advisory board of the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute.


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