In line with international human rights treaties, such as the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, EASPD is advocating for a transition from a medical perspective to a human rights-based approach to mental health and psychosocial disability. The implementation of a human rights-centred approach in the provision of mental health and psychosocial support is essential to ensure an overall improvement of care standards across Europe.  

In order to assess the status of human rights-based mental health and psychosocial services in Europe, EASPD engaged the UNESCO Chair at Munster Technological University to conduct research. In particular, this research aims to identify the current situations and the challenges that service providers in the disability sector face, but also the opportunities offered by the transition to human rights-based approaches.  

The results of the research will serve as a valuable source of information to support EASPD’s “Moving Forward” Work Programme 2024, as well as the upcoming “Transforming Mental Health and Psychosocial Support” conference that will take place in Bratislava on 21 and 22 May 2024.  

Everyone that meets the following eligibility criteria is encouraged to take part in the research: 

• 18 or older. 

• With past, present, direct or indirect experience in mental health and psychosocial services, whether as a user or as a provider. 

• Not currently experiencing acute mental health difficulties. 

• Voluntarily consenting to participate in the study and have their data processed. 

The research is being conducted until 18 April 2024 through focus groups, interviews, and a survey.  

To access the survey, click here.  

To participate in a focus group or interview (both held online), please email unesco@mtu.ie or call +353 87 4797536 from 10:00 to 16:00, Monday through Friday. (include or not?)  

Data protection: 

Researchers are bound to keep personal data safe. Therefore, the information shared by participants will be anonymised. Video and audio recordings will be transcribed into Word documents that will be destroyed after the research is completed. For focus groups, researchers will establish a code of practice for participants to ensure that everyone’s privacy is protected. It would be possible to withdraw from the study at any stage and without consequences.  

Data will be securely stored on the MTU cloud-based system and backed up in a locked filing cabinet on a password-protected USB. Ethical approval was obtained on 7 March 2024. MTU Research Ethics Committee can be contacted at hrec@mtu.ie.  

For further information and/or concerns, contact MTU at unesco@mtu.ie or at +353 87 4797536.