Mr. Director:
The Law on “Recognition and Protection of the Rights of Persons in Mental Health Care” was recently published. The aim of the law is not to promote mental health globally, but rather to protect people from abusive treatment. Historically, mental health has been an excuse to violate human rights. Last January, a viral video showed two men climbing a third to a van by force. Those who observed the incident did not hesitate to report it as a kidnapping. When police investigated the fact, he discovered that the man “raped” had a diagnosis of mental disorder, that he had “escaped” from his home and that those who uploaded him to the van were family members. A person in an altered state generates concern in those around him and it is understandable to consider extreme measures. But you also have to empathize with whoever is taken against your will.
The new law states that “involuntary psychiatric hospitalization affects the right to freedom of individuals, so it will only proceed when outpatient treatment is not possible (…) and there is a real situation of certain and imminent risk to the life or integrity of the person or third parties.” The question is whether this law will be fully implemented. This requires control. Alternatives to psychiatric hospitalization must be funded. More resources need to be devoted to psychotherapy services and good psychotherapist training.
John Paul Kalawski
Doctor of Clinical Psychology and Academic University of Chile
