Mental Health Reform, Ireland’s leading national coalition for mental health, is today responding to the Mental Health Commission’s new report on the use of restrictive practices in approved centres in Ireland.
Commenting on the report, Dr Louise Rooney, Policy & Research Manager, Mental Health Reform commented:
“We welcome this report which demonstrates a significant decline in the use of restrictive practices across Irish mental health services in 2023 and 2024. Seclusion and restraint can have serious physical and psychological effects on people with mental health difficulties. Restrictive practices should only be used in strictly limited circumstances as a last resort and for the shortest necessary time. Our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision recommends a zero restraint, zero seclusion action plan. The decline in restrictive practices reflects a welcome shift towards person-centred, human rights, and recovery-oriented approaches in our mental health services. The Commission’s report comes at a crucial time as the Mental Health Bill moves through the final stages of the legislative process. The reform of the Mental Health Act will mark a key step in the transition towards modern, rights-based mental health services.
We look forward to continuing our work with our members and people with lived experience to deliver mental health legislation that adequately protects people’s human rights, and respects their will and preferences.”