On 2 June, a round table named ‘Issues of Mental Health of the Population. Current Issues of Observance of Rights of Citizens Suffering from Mental Disorders’ was held in Novosibirsk Region. As a result a working group was formed to consolidate the received information and develop recommendations for legislative and executive bodies to prevent violations of rights of citizens suffering from mental disorders.

Commissioner for Human Rights in Novosibirsk Region Nina Shalabaeva initiated and hosted the round table. In her opening speech the Commissioner stressed that mental disorders were a serious medical and social problem of the modern society.

The participants in the event got acquainted with the system of mental health services, social service organization of citizens suffering from chronic mental diseases in Novosibirsk Region social service facilities. They also highlighted the issues of observance of rights of citizens having mental disorders to employment and independent living. Special attention of the participants was brought to the issues that staff members of special correctional schools for children with intelligence disabilities have to face.

Consolidation of the received information and proposals for solving the problems mentioned may change the situation of people with mental disorders for the better.

Adapted from the Press Service of the Commissioner for Human Rights in Novosibirsk Region