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Affiliation
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Social Work and Social Policy, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia. |
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Abstract
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In The Lancet Psychiatry, Susan Walker and colleagues1 report findings of a systematic review, meta-analysis, and narrative synthesis of 77 studies from 22 countries, providing valuable data on risk factors for involuntary psychiatric hospitalisation. These findings will substantially contribute to addressing gaps in knowledge about international and intranational variations in use of involuntary psychiatric hospitalisations and to development of interventions to reduce these hospitalisations.
Walker and colleagues identified that previous involuntary hospitalisation and diagnosis of a psychotic disorder present the greatest risks for further compulsory treatment, which is a very helpful finding because it highlights opportunities for preventive interventions. The experience of coercion, or being subjected to restrictive interventions associated with involuntary admission, can lead to disengagement with mental health services, setting up an ongoing cycle of involuntary admissions. Interrupting this potentially spirit-breaking2 cycle demands attention. The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities recommends that involuntary treatment should be ceased because it constitutes discrimination on the basis of disability.3 Regardless of the rationale for its use, there is growing recognition that involuntary treatment poses a risk to the dignity, human rights, and equality before the law of those affected.3 Hooff and Goossensen4 analysed 22 reports on involuntary treatment, in which the views of detained patients were examined, and the most common theme of qualitative studies was that patients experienced feelings of not being listened to. They concluded that listening to patients and actively eliciting their views on treatment is essential. Attempting to understand how people experience ...
Language: en |