‘If someone had stopped to talk to me’: A human rights analysis of Spain's mental health system

Abstract

This study explores the gap between Spain's mental health legal framework and the lived experiences of users and survivors of psychiatry, including persons with psychosocial disabilities. Employing a socio-legal methodology, it critically contrasts domestic legislation with qualitative data from interviews, uncovering systemic issues that perpetuate coercive practices such as inadequate judicial oversight and the routine use of coercion and isolation. The findings highlight a significant failure to protect patient autonomy and dignity. This research advocates for comprehensive legal and structural reforms to align Spain's mental health care system with international human rights standards. It underscores the need for a person-centered, rights-based approach that prioritises autonomy, informed consent, and dignity, ultimately promoting a mental health care environment that fully upholds human rights.