Move away from outdated ‘mad or bad’ approach to mental illness, urges independent UN expert

While welcoming international recognition of mental health, Dainius PÅ«ras, UN Special Rapporteur on the right to physical and mental health, told the Human Rights Council on Monday that “much more is still needed”.

“The global mental health status quo should move away from the outdated ‘mad or bad’ approach which seeks to prevent behaviours deemed as ‘dangerous’ or provide treatment considered ‘medically necessary’ without consent,” he said.

PÅ«ras also warned against the exaggerated benefits of psychotropic medications, stressing that it has led to an overuse of medicalization and institutionalization.

“I appreciate the progress made to understand the role of psychotropic medications, but also recognize that there are no biological markers for mental health conditions,” he said. “Hence, the specific mechanisms by which psychotropic drugs might be effective, are simply unknown.”

Failures of the status quo

The UN envoy said the status quo in mental health care ignores the social, political or existential context that contributes to a high prevalence of sadness, anxiety, fear and other manifestations of mental distress.

And COVID-19 has only exacerbated the failures of the status quo.

“There is no simplified mechanistic solution to mental distress,” the Special Rapporteur said. “For the majority of mental health conditions, psychosocial and other social interventions are the essential option for treatment.”

Systemic obstacles - such as power irregularities in mental health care, the dominance of the biomedical standards and the biased use of knowledge – must be addressed by changes in laws, policies and practices.

Invest in rights-based support

Mr. PÅ«ras reiterated his call for mental health care action and investment to be redirected to rights-based supports; non-coercive alternatives that address the psychosocial determinants of health; and the development of practices that are non-violent, trauma-informed, community-led, healing and culturally sensitive.

“I’m calling once again for the ultimate elimination of segregated psychiatric institutions that reflect the historic legacy of social exclusion, disempowerment, stigma and discrimination”, concluded the Special Rapporteur.

Legalese

The Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities should guide mental health policies and services, and discriminatory laws and practices should be abandoned.

Special Rapporteurs are appointed by the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council to examine and report back on a specific human rights theme or a country situation. The positions are honorary and the experts are not UN staff, nor are they paid for their work.