Abstract
Background and Objectives : In recent years, policy-makers and researchers of health sector have paid more attention to considering rights of mental patients. Despite of increasing importance of the issue, there are few studies which explore rights of mental patients and the challenges for providing respective solutions. The aim of this study was to explore various studies conducted in Iran and other countries and extract respective solutions to meet the challenges.
Material and Methods: To conduct this review study, we collected relevant papers, theses and dissertations as well as related reports to mental patients’ rights. Local and global databases were searched to collect relevant data. In the next step, we followed articles of some special related journals. After collecting and categorizing the data, we extracted and categorized options for challenges of mental patients’ rights.
Results : Solutions to meet challenges of mental patients’ rights (weaknesses in contemporary rights of mental patients, low or lack of awareness of mental patients and health workers about mental patients’ rights,) include options in rules and regulations level, macro policy-making level, conducting research, health services delivery level and strategic options according to analysis of weaknesses and failures related to mental patients’ rights and their needs.
Conclusion : In order to respect mental patients’ rights and find solutions and correct deficiencies, we should improve the existing plans and policies related to mental patients’ rights, plan to identify weaknesses and failures and improve services to this group of patients.