Petition · past parliament

Limit the use of coercive practices in mental health that harm the patient

Rejected 21 signatures

What the petition asks

The purpose of this petition is to start a debate about the coercive practises used openly, freely and extensively in current psychiatry. This includes importantly physical or chemical restraint, forced medication and more subtle forms of coercion which blatantly disregard human rights of patients.
The current practice of psychiatry is almost exclusively based on a biochemical model. The outcome of this is that medication is seen as the only credible resort when treating patients suffering from psychotic illness and any other therapy is seen as supportive. When patients suffer side effects they are seen as non-compliant and when they stop medication they are placed on CTOs. This makes it impossible for patients to escape the mental health system or be educated to alternative options.

Why it was rejected

It was not clear what the petition asked the UK Government or Parliament to do.

Petitions need to call on the Government or Parliament to take a specific action.

You could start a new petition explaining clearly what you would like the Government or Parliament to do.

Timeline

22 Feb 2018 Petition opened for signatures
27 Feb 2018 Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 21
Status Rejected
Rejected 27 Feb 2018

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.