News
WHO launches new guidance on on rights based community mental health services
We are pleased to announce the launch of the new WHO Guidance on community mental health services: promoting person-centred and rights-based approaches.
This new guidance, which is intended primarily for people with responsibility for organizing and managing mental health care, presents details of what is required in areas such as mental health law, policy and strategy, service delivery, financing, workforce development and civil society participation in order for mental health services to be compliant with the CRPD.
It includes examples from countries including Brazil, India, Kenya, Myanmar, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom of community-based mental health services that have demonstrated good practices in respect of non-coercive practices, community inclusion, and respect of people’s legal capacity (i.e. the right to make decisions about their treatment and life).
Services include crisis support, mental health services provided within general hospitals, outreach services, supported living approaches and support provided by peer groups. Information about financing and results of evaluations of the services presented are included. Cost comparisons provided indicate that the community-based services showcased produce good outcomes, are preferred by service users and can be provided at comparable cost to mainstream mental health services.
Links and resources:
- WHO Guidance and Technical Packages
- WHO Press release in ENGLISH – SPANISH – RUSSIAN
- WHO Feature story- Community-based mental health services using a rights-based approach
- Daily Telegraph article – Seclusion, restraint and coercion: abuse ‘far too common’ in mental health services across the world
- Video poem: The Power of Purpose – Community-based mental health care: the Power of Purpose
- YouTube livestream of the WHO Launch event