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The rights of the mentally ills.
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Abstract
The recognition, the exercise and the protection of rights of people with mental disorders is a broad legal and social issue to which should contribute, within the constitutional and international anticipation, the state with its institutions and the society with its bodies. The aim of the research is to study the extent of knowledge of mental patients regarding their rights and the scope, in practice, of the established rights. These parameters were examined in relation to the utilization of deinstitutionalization services of six hostels and two protected apartments, developed by the Psychiatric Hospital "Dromokaitio" under the national mental health reform plan "PSYCHARGOS." The users were asked to evaluate the services provided, in relation to parameters that highlight the experience and knowledge of their rights. Based on the results obtained, it is attempted to capture the relationship / interaction between the demographic characteristics (sex, age, educational level, employment status and income level) and the knowledge, protection and respect of the rights (information, capability of choice of therapy / doctor / nurse, development of relationships of trust and respect, focus on personal service needs, exercise of civil rights, sense of stigma and actions to address it). Based on the above data and in order to safeguard and promote the rights of people with mental disorders who live in deinstitutionalization structures, measures are recommended such as: the information and education for themselves and their families regarding their rights, the continuous and focused education and training of mental health professionals, the active contribution of the rights protection mechanisms, the contribution of civil society (its sensitization and mobilization) and finally the complete harmonization of legislation in the European context, with relevant amendments to remove ambiguities or gaps.