Foundation appalled by six-year detention of mentally ill patient
MEDIA RELEASE
5 November
The Mental Health Foundation is shocked and appalled at reports today of a mentally ill patient kept in restrained seclusion for nearly six years.
The case surfaced, along with several other disturbing instances of maltreatment of patients, as part of Ombudsmen Annual Report 2009.
"The Mental Health Foundation has long argued for an end to seclusion in mental health units," says chief executive Judi Clements. "There is nothing that entrenches a sense of rejection and degradation more than being forcibly removed and isolated from other people. It is the very opposite to being valued and included."
The Foundation says the Ombudsmen report highlights the need for greater transparency with regard to compulsory treatment of people in mental health services.
"Sadly, these cases show that where you have vulnerable people being cared for in environments of secrecy there is a tendency for abuse for occur," Clements continues. "If it weren't for the Ombudsmen's report these cases may have never come to light. With resources only allowing for focused investigation of 15 mental health sites over the last year, we need to ask how many more cases like this are yet to be uncovered."
Eliminating the use of seclusion is not only humane, but research overseas has shown that reducing its use has increased the effectiveness and safety of mental health services.
"Mental health services in the United States have reported improvements in therapeutic relationships and staff retention as well as decreases in staff and service user injuries from reducing or eliminating seclusion," Clements says.
"The best proven alternatives to seclusion are making sure that there are a wealth of accessible respite and early intervention options that prevent the need for inpatient acute care in the first place."
For further inquiries:
Chris Banks
Senior Communications Officer
Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand
09 300 7028 or 021 790 236
