Health, Globalisation and Human Rights (AM_470818)
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Essay week 3 Health, Globalisation and Human Righta
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Health, Globalisation and Human Rights (AM_470818)
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Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU)
Essay for week 3 of Health, Globalisation and Human Rights. It's about whether it should be possible to require medication for mental problems. Compulsory essay to prepare for the exam. The exam itself ended with an 8.
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Health, Globalisation and Human Rights (AM_470818)
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In a human rights-based approach to mental health care:
"The prescription of antipsychotic medication without consent should be considered a crime
against humanity".
Mental health has been getting more and more attention over the years. It was
included in the definition of health by the WHO in 1948 which since then states:
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not the
mere absence of disease (Nieuwe definitie van gezondheid nodig? - ZonMw, z.d.).
Especially after the corona crisis, mental health has received increasing attention
in many countries. Examples of mental disorders are anxiety disorders, psychotic
disorders and dementia (Alter Behavioral Health, 2022). In the treatment of
mental illnesses different forms of medication can be used. For treatment of
psychotic disorders, antipsychotics can be used which do not cure a psychosis
but help reduce symptoms like anxiety, hallucinations, mania, but also violent
behavior (Antipsychotics, z.d.). Administering medication without consent only
happens in rare cases. It is only possible during detention under the Mental
Health Act, when the patient does not have the capacity to make decisions about
their treatment and if it is an emergency. In my opinion administration without
consent is a crime against humanity.
First, and most important of all, administering medication without consent is a
strict violation of the human rights because it goes right against the rights to
autonomy and dignity. Every patient has, according to the human rights, the
right to make the decisions about their treatment. Involuntarily prescription is
therefore definitely crime against humanity.
This does not mean that I do not think administration without consent should not
be possible.
I certainly do think a lot can be said for that in favor. Administering medication
for, in this specific case, psychotic disorders is sometimes just what is necessary.
Psychotic disorders can be violent which causes harm for the patient but
potentially for the patient’s environment or even society. It sometimes is what is
best for the patient, and especially for the patient’s environment. With an eye on
the bigger picture and because I have the patient's best interests at heart, I
therefore strongly feel like health care providers should be able to administer
antipsychotic medication to psychotic patients, if deemed necessary. However,
the question here, if if it is a crime against humanity to do so. With that I agree,
as mentioned before. Simply because it just is in conflict with the human right to
autonomy and dignity.
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