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WHO opposes involuntary electroshock
MindFreedom spoke out to the World Health Organization against the use of electroshock over the expressed wishes of the subject. As a result, in a WHO manual about the law and mental health, WHO came out in writing against involuntary electroshock. Here is the quote and citation.
"Although significant controversy surrounds electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and some people believe it should be abolished, it has been and continues to be used in many countries for certain mental disorders. If ECT is used, it should only be administered after obtaining informed consent.
"And it should only be administered in modified form, i.e. with the use of anaesthesia and muscle relaxants. The prectice of using unmodified ECT should be stopped.
"There are no indications for the use of ECT on minors, and hence this should be prohibited through legislation".
page 64
WHO RESOURCE BOOK ON MENTAL HEALTH, HUMAN RIGHTS AND LEGISLATION WHO 2005
Benedetto Saraceno, MD
Director
Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Acting Director
Department of Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion
World Health Organization
20, avenue Appia
1211 Geneva, Switzerland
Phone: +41 22 791 3603/3634
Fax: +41 22 791 4160
