A better way to care is possible
By embracing personalized, evidence-based patient-centered approaches and innovative treatment modalities, we can create a healthcare system that truly listens, supports, and uplifts individuals on their journey toward mental health and well-being.
Consentual treatments
Voluntary treatments empower individuals, promote respect and collaboration, and lead to more effective outcomes in mental healthcare.
Needs adapted approach
Trauma-informed, recovery-oriented treatments in mental healthcare prioritize healing, empowerment, and personalized recovery journeys, resulting in more effective and compassionate care.
Compassionate communication
Patients are actively involved in decision-making about their treatment plans. Their preferences, values, and choices are acknowledged and respected to the greatest extent possible.
Society-wide team play
Inclusion is the cornerstone of reconnecting individuals with mental health challenges to their communities, fostering well-being. Interdisciplinarity bridges expertise among professionals, enhancing comprehensive care inside and outside mental healthcare settings.
Active pursuit of wellness
Health promotion activities, including sports and other socially engaging pursuits, play a pivotal role in fostering physical and mental well-being. They encourage active lifestyles, reduce stress, and contribute to a more balanced and resilient state of health.
Not giving up
Recognizing the importance of fostering expectations is essential in mental healthcare. These expectations must instill hope, motivation, and resilience in individuals facing mental health challenges. By providing the necessary support and resources, we empower individuals to achieve their recovery goals and lead fulfilling lives.
Respect : recovery
Sociocultural sensitivity is crucial in mental healthcare, as it involves recognizing and respecting the diverse backgrounds, belief systems, and needs of individuals seeking treatment. This approach ensures that care is provided in an appropriate manner, enhancing both the effectiveness and equity of mental health services.
Non-coercive best practices in mental healthcare are founded on principles of respect, dignity, and patient-centered care. Coercive measures, such as forced treatments, can have deeply traumatizing effects on individuals already struggling with mental health challenges. By contrast, adopting a non-coercive approach prioritizes the well-being and autonomy of patients, ultimately leading to more effective and humane care.
Forced treatments not only violate a person's fundamental rights but also can retraumatize individuals who may have experienced trauma in the past. Such experiences can exacerbate distress, erode trust in the healthcare system, and hinder the therapeutic relationship between patients and providers. In contrast, non-coercive approaches recognize the importance of informed consent and shared decision-making, empowering patients to actively participate in their treatment plans. This collaborative approach not only respects individual choices but also reduces the risk of retraumatization, fostering a sense of agency and control over one's mental health journey.
A comprehensive compendium of non-coercive best practices in mental healthcare was curated by Professor Piers Gooding for the Commission of Europe's Human Rights and Biomedicine group, and can be found at Compendium report: Good practices to promote Voluntary Measures in Mental Health Services. Further details on available alternatives can be found at Torrents, E.G., Björkdahl, A. (2024). Alternatives to Coercion. In: Hallett, N., Whittington, R., Richter, D., Eneje, E. (eds) Coercion and Violence in Mental Health Settings. Springer-Nature, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-61224-4_17, a Springer-Nature book chapter published after the EU COST action FOSTREN on reducing coercion in mental health was completed.