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RECON - How can we reduce the use of involuntary mental health treatment for people with severe mental illness (completed)

The RECON project aims to address the issue of reducing the use of involuntary mental health treatment for individuals with severe mental illness.

About the project

Despite political goals in Norway to minimize coercion in mental health treatment, progress has been limited. There is a lack of research on how to effectively reduce coercion.

The project consists of five work packages that aim to investigate potential areas for reducing coercion.

Work Package 1 focuses on understanding the different perspectives and discourses surrounding the “problem” of coercion. We will identify competing problem definitions and potential solutions as understanding differing viewpoints is crucial for determining why measures to reduce coercion have not been successful in some cases.
Work Package 2 aims to examine the variation in the use of involuntary admissions across different regions and institutions. By analyzing data from the Norwegian Patient Register in the period 2013-2018, the project seeks to identify trends and factors that contribute to high or low levels of coercion. This analysis will shed light on the characteristics of institutions with varying levels of coercion.
Work Package 3 aims to identify population predictors for the variation in the use of coercion. By analyzing local population compositions and their correlation with the level of coercion, the project aims to gain a better understanding of the potential for reducing coercion.
Work Package 4 explores the possibility of intervening at the level of primary mental health care to reduce the use of involuntary admissions. No such interventions have been developed or tested specifically for the municipal context before.
Work Package 5 aims to analyze the findings from the previous work packages and address cross-cutting themes. These include identifying areas with potential for reducing involuntary mental health treatment, understanding the ethical implications of coercion in Norway, and considering the implications of the research findings for policy and practice.

About the group

The interdisciplinary research team involved in RECON includes experts in mental health, ethics, policy analysis, and healthcare provision.

Objective

The project ultimately seeks to provide valuable insights on how to improve services, reduce coercion, and implement ethically sound practices in mental health treatment.