Position of the Coalition „Mental Health 2030“ on status change of the Vilnius Republican Psychiatric Hospital into Vilnius University Psychiatric Hospital

Public Organization Mental Health Perspectives approached Lithuanian Government by expressing concerns to the decision of the Lithuanian Ministry of Health to change status of the Vilnius Republican Psychiatric Hospital into Vilnius University Psychiatric Hospital.

On behalf of the Coalition „Mental Health 2030“ Mental Health Perspectives argue that this decision would negatively contribute to the mental health care reform, strengthen biomedical approach and hinder development of community based mental health care services in Lithuania.

Representatives of Mental Health Perspectives shared their concerns and expressed their arguments during the meeting at the Ministry of Health on 26th June 2014 with representatives of the Ministry, Vilnius University, Vilnius Republican Psychiatric Hospital, and other Republican and University clinics.

The final decision is not taken yet and Mental Health Perspectives invites Ministry of Health to analyze consequences of this decision in the light of main international documents (UN Convention on the Rights of Disabled Persons, WHO report 2001 Mental Health: New Understanding, New Hope, The Mental Health Declaration for Europe and the Mental Health Action Plan for Europe (2005) and many others, and offers its expertise at further steps of the mental health reform.