LEVIATHAN LECTURE SERIES
organized by the
Center for Ethics and Law in Biomedicine
Vienna/ Budapest ONLINE
Zoom link: https://shorturl.at/ahiAZ
May 16, 2024 (Thursday) at 5–6 pm CET
Jacob Jorem
The Impact of Introducing a Capacity-Based Mental Health Law
Abstract
Decision-making capacity (DMC) is an increasingly important criterion in health law to uphold patient autonomy in line with human rights developments. In 2017, Norway introduced a capacity-based mental health law, making lack of DMC an additional criterion for involuntary care. Contrary to the objectives of the legislative amendments, involuntary care has continued to rise post-2017. Moreover, assessing DMC pose several challenges in clinical practice. Drawing from Norway’s implementation experiences, this presentation offers valuable insights for policymakers into the limitations of legal policies in ensuring equitable mental healthcare access. It emphasizes the need for a systemic approach to implementing healthcare policies that address broader service and societal factors. Jacob Jorem is a Norwegian psychiatrist and lawyer currently conducting research on mental health policy as a Visiting Fulbright Scholar at Columbia University. He has authored several publications, including scientific articles, reports, and a book chapter, exploring mental health policy, health law, and ethics. His research centers on how legislation affects healthcare delivery for individuals with severe mental illness. Next year, he will undertake a Harkness Fellowship through the Commonwealth Fund, with a focus on exploring healthcare access for homeless individuals with severe mental illness.
Introduction: Judit Sándor
Discussant: Márton Varju