The Steering Committee for Human Rights in the fields of Biomedicine and Health (CDBIO), in cooperation with the Ombudsman of the Republic of Latvia and the University of Latvia, under the auspices of the Latvian Presidency of the Committee of Ministers, organized a conference on human rights and mental healthcare on the theme Promoting autonomy in healthcare practice.
The event took place at the University of Riga on 14 November and was opened by the Latvian Minister of Health.
In the first session, speakers recalled that human rights violations continued to prevail within mental health services in Europe.
Followed a series of presentations from speakers from eight countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Norway, Switzerland, UK), showcasing approaches to care, in community care services as well as hospitals, that promote the autonomy of persons with mental health issues, that are person-centred and value personal choices and decision-making. Speakers, while touching on the challenges in implementing such practices, demonstrated that human rights-based responses in mental health care, including alternatives to coercive practices, are not only possible but are efficient.
The event was attended by nearly 200 participants and followed online by approximately 300 persons.
It is part of the Council of Europe’s important work to improve the protection and promotion of the autonomy and dignity of persons in mental healthcare.
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