New guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO), published on Thursday, calls for providing mental health care that respects human rights and focuses on recovery.
Globally, mental health care mainly continues to be provided in psychiatric hospitals, and rights abuses and coercive practices remain all too common, according to the UN agency.
“Two people crawl into two different #MentalHealth services… One person is offered an outstretched hand & a listening ear…. The other person is given an unmarked pill bottle & a door that they don’t have a key for”
Which type of care would you choose? https://t.co/WXczpZaNko pic.twitter.com/gor1xjyQNN
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) June 10, 2021
‘A more holistic approach’
The guidance recommends that mental health provision should be located in the community and include support for daily living, such as facilitating access to accommodation, as well as education and employment services.