The president and CEO of Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, the region's leader in mental health and addictions care, is weighing in on the debate surrounding involuntary treatment.
In an open letter to the community, Bill Marra said his examination of the evidence reveals that involuntary treatment is not considered a best practice in mental health care.
"Rather than coercive measures, the focus should be on developing supportive, voluntary, and collaborative treatment options that respect patients' rights and promote healing through engagement and empowerment," said Marra. "Emphasizing compassionate care can lead to more sustainable recovery outcomes and a more humane approach to mental health and addiction issues."
Marra points to a number of different studies in his letter that indicate an increase risk of trauma and a lack of effectiveness in involuntary treatment methods.
Marra also emphasizes that the World Health Organization states the importance of respecting individual rights and support for autonomy in mental health care.