Mental health, human rights and standards of care

The WHO project on adults with psychosocial and intellectual disabilities living in institutions in the WHO European Region targets a highly marginalized, vulnerable group whose quality of life, human rights and re-inclusion in society are seriously compromised by outdated, often inhumane institutional practices.

The specific objectives of the project were to address gaps in knowledge about the number and characteristics of such long-term institutions and to identify deficiencies in current care standards through the lens of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.