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Description
The project aims to produce and disseminate up-to-date knowledge on mental health and human rights in Portugal, raise awareness towards changing attitudes about people with mental illness, train health and social sector professionals, strengthen collaboration between organisations involved in the defence of the rights of people with mental illness and contribute to improving mental health laws and policies.
Summary of project results
The aim of the project was to contribute to an effective response to the main challenges in Portugal in promoting the rights of people with mental health problems, namely the training of health and social care professionals in human rights and mental health, the empowerment of people with mental illnesses, raising awareness in society and advocating for the revision of mental health policies and legislation.
The project achieved milestones in advancing mental health and human rights. It facilitated three studies focused on human rights and mental health issues, providing valuable insights into these critical areas. Additionally, six training activities were conducted, benefiting over 157 participants from across the country. These included individuals with mental illness, their families, professionals in the health and social sectors, and young people, equipping them with enhanced knowledge and skills.
Four awareness campaigns were carried out, using diverse approaches such as media initiatives, a film festival, collaborations with universities in Lisbon, and a training program in partnership with the Misericórdia de Lisboa (a major social care institution). These efforts helped raise public awareness and reduce stigma around mental health.
The project also played a key role in shaping mental health policy in Portugal. It participated in the drafting of proposals for a new mental health law and contributed to the decree-law passed in 2021, which established updated principles for mental health policies and services. It also supported the development of four additional studies promoting the reduction of coercion in mental health services.
Key results of the project include improved information on stigma, mental illness, compulsory psychiatric admissions, and access to mental health care. It also heightened awareness of human rights issues affecting individuals with mental illness, empowered those affected, trained more stakeholders in mental health advocacy, and contributed to enhancing mental health laws and policies.
In quantitative terms, the following was achieved:
-17 NGOs engaged in advocacy work on human rights;
-172 youths mobilised by NGOs to engage in human rights work;
-145 professional staff trained;
-4 awareness raising campaigns carried out;
-2 national policies and laws influenced;
-95% share of target group showing concern for human rights.
In terms of capacity building, the promoter carried out a needs assessment and prepared an action plan. This led to the development of an institutional communication plan and a strategic operational plan focused on improving fund-raising and human resources management practices.
All proposed targets were met and exceeded.
Summary of bilateral results
Partnership with Norwegian partner entities contributed to a better understanding of human rights issues in mental health care provided in Portuguese prisons. This was because Prof. Nora Sveaass had participated in European audits of our prison services and was particularly committed to finding a solution to the identified problems. In turn, the presentations on compulsory community hospitalization by Prof. Jorun Rugkhasa, one of the leading researchers in this field worldwide, provided our officials with new research data with important implications for the design of mental health legislative measures related to compulsory hospitalization. It can thus be said that the partnership with the Norwegian entities significantly contributed to clarifying some important human rights issues related to the provision of psychiatric treatments in prisons and compulsory hospitalization. Another highly relevant outcome was the collaboration initiated between the promoter and the service led by Prof. Jorun Rugkhasa at Akershus University Hospital. Thanks to this collaboration, LIGMH is now part of the network created through the EU Cost Action Fostren, with Prof. JM Caldas de Almeida as its Vice-Chair. The ties created through the project led to close collaboration between Prof. Jorun Rugkhasa''s service and the LIGMH team in developing a new project aimed at collecting European data on the influence of legislative factors in reducing coercion in mental health services. It is also expected that a young researcher from LIGMH will soon undertake a scientific internship at Akershus University Hospital.