Presentation of the analytical report of the Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union “Observance of the Rights of Children with Mental Disorders and Intellectual Disabilities in Inpatient Healthcare and Social Care Institutions” will take place at news agency Glavcom (8/20 Shovkovychna St.) on Monday, March 26, at 14:00.

Announced de-institutionalization has not reduced the dominance of inpatient institutions in the provision of psychiatric care to children. Moreover, despite having authority over the activities of these institutions, the Healthcare Ministry is essentially doing nothing with it.

The report shows the Ministry of Social Policy updated the documents regulating the activities of boarding schools only in 2016. Before the update, rehabilitation of children living in these institutions was not even among the priority tasks for boarding schools.

The report give a positive feedback regarding the developed strategic directions of the reform of mental and child care. The authors believe that declaring de-institutionalization of services as one of top priorities should be accompanied by measures aimed at supporting families with children. At the same time, the government should also focus on ensuring maximum self-sufficiency of those currently living in boarding schools.

The analytical report demonstrates the true situation with the observance of children’s rights in specific institutions. It is shown that living conditions, particularly in boarding schools, do not meet the standards of children’s rights and respect for their dignity. Administrations of these institutions often just agree with the conclusions of medical advisory committees, without giving much thought to ensuring the rehabilitation of children. Neither does the staff bother with finding out the children’s views. Psychiatric dispensaries and departments of pediatrics in clinics primarily offer medication-based treatment. The rehabilitation process is far from satisfactory.

Participants:

Ruslan Imerelli –President of the All-Ukrainian NGO of Persons with Disabilities – Users of Psychiatric Care “User”, co-author of the report “Children’s Rights and Mental Health. Observance of the Rights of Children with Mental Disorders and Intellectual Disabilities in Inpatient Healthcare and Social Care Institutions”.

Bohdan Moysa – UHHRU, co-author of the report “Children’s Rights and Mental Health. Observance of the Rights of Children with Mental Disorders and Intellectual Disabilities in Inpatient Healthcare and Social Care Institutions”.

Yevheniya Pavlova –President of the All-Ukrainian Organization “Foundation for the Protection of Children’s Rights”, co-author of the report “Children’s Rights and Mental Health. Observance of the Rights of Children with Mental Disorders and Intellectual Disabilities in Inpatient Healthcare and Social Care Institutions”.

Contact: Bohdan Moysa, +38096 836 06 17, [email protected]