RIGHTS OF MENTALLY ILL PEOPLE
The law “On psychiatric care and guarantees of the rights of citizens in its provision” is based on the regulations, according to which the dignity of the patient should not be infringed in the provision of psychiatric care. This law also regulates the procedure of psychiatric examination. This law States that psychiatric examinations and preventive examinations are carried out only at the request or with the consent of the subject, and examinations and examinations of a minor under 15 years of age are carried out at the request or with the consent of his parents or legal representative.
When conducting a psychiatric examination, the doctor is obliged to introduce himself to the patient, as well as his legal representative as a psychiatrist. Outpatient mental health care for persons with mental illness is provided depending on medical indications and is carried out in the form of consultative and medical care and dispensary observation.
Persons with mental disorders are placed under dispensary supervision, regardless of their consent or the consent of their legal representative.
In cases of inpatient treatment of a patient with mental disorders, it is necessary to consent to this treatment in writing, with the exception of patients who are on compulsory treatment by a court decision, as well as patients who are involuntarily stationed by law enforcement agencies. Without the consent of the patient, ie. involuntarily, persons with mental disorders that make them dangerous to themselves and others, as well as patients in those States where they are unable to meet the basic needs of life (for example, with catatonic stupor, severe dementia) and can cause significant harm to their health due to the deterioration of the mental state, if left without psychiatric care, are placed in a psychiatric hospital.
The patient admitted to the hospital as a result of involuntary hospitalization, within 48 hours must be examined by a Commission of doctors, which determines the validity of hospitalization.
In cases when hospitalization is recognized as reasonable, the conclusion of the Commission is transferred to court for the solution of the question of further stay of the patient in hospital, in the location of hospital.
The presence of the patient in a psychiatric hospital in involuntary order lasts as long as there are grounds for which involuntary hospitalization was carried out (aggressive actions in connection with delusions and hallucinations, active suicidal tendencies).
For prolongation of involuntary hospitalization the repeated survey by the Commission 1 time a month the first half a year, and then 1 time in 6 months is carried out.
An important achievement in the observance of the rights of mentally ill citizens is their release from responsibility for socially dangerous actions (crimes) committed by them during their illness.