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A human rights foundation for ethical mental health practice

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 November 2016

P. Devitt  and
B. D. Kelly
P. Devitt
Affiliation:
Consultant Psychiatrist, Tallaght Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
B. D. Kelly*
Affiliation:
Professor of Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Tallaght Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
*
*Address for correspondence: B. D. Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Tallaght Hospital, Dublin 24, Ireland. (Email: brendan.kelly@tcd.ie)
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Abstract

There are close links between clinical ethics, human rights and the lived experience of mental illness and mental health care. Principles of professional ethics, national mental health legislation and international human rights conventions all address these themes in various ways. Even so, there are substantial deviations from acceptable standards at certain times, resulting in significant violations of rights in the developing and developed worlds. An explicitly human rights-based approach has improved matters in, for example, Scotland. External drivers of change, such as legislation, standards, codes of practice, inspections and sanctions for violations, are all needed. Attitudes and culture are also critical drivers of change. Most importantly, the principles and values of ethical, human rights-based professional practice need be taught and modelled throughout professional careers. Ongoing training in this area should form a central element of programmes of continuing professional development, delivered by people with expertise and understanding, including service users.

Keywords

Ethicshuman rightsmental healthmental health legislationpsychiatrytraining
Type
Perspective Piece
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 36 , Issue 1 , March 2019 , pp. 47 - 54
Copyright
© College of Psychiatrists of Ireland 2016 

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Footnotes

The authors wish to state that this article represents their opinion that a human rights approach can provide a worthwhile foundation for ethical mental health practice. We are aware that other philosophical approaches may also be valid. We would welcome a debate on the issue and believe that the improvement of the mental health services requires such a debate.

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