Mental health policies tackling violation of children's human rights in Chile

Abstract

In August, 2018, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child reported on the plight of thousands of at-risk children who are subject to extreme neglect, leading to endangerment and human deterioration in Chile. 1 UN Committee on the Rights of the ChildInforme de la investigación relacionada en Chile en virtud del artículo 13 del Protocolo facultativo de la Convención sobre los Derechos del Niño relativo a un procedimiento de comunicaciones. https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/HRBodies/CRC/CRC_C_CHL_INQ_1.pdfDate accessed: February 25, 2019 Google Scholar This alarming report noted that the human rights of children living under court protection and deprived of liberty (ie, those living in the National Children's Service, Sename) are being systematically violated. It also highlighted that nearly 70% of these at-risk children have at least one untreated mental disorder. In the report, the Chilean Health Ministry acknowledged that, despite this high prevalence of mental disorders among children living in institutions, these children have little or no access to mental health services. Additionally, it revealed a systematic lack of access to most diagnostic and health services: 68·6% of adolescents aged 14–18 years show symptoms associated with depression, but, of those, 45·3% have not been evaluated by a psychologist or psychiatrist. The Committee concluded that Chile lacks a plan to treat mental health issues in children and adolescents. 1 UN Committee on the Rights of the ChildInforme de la investigación relacionada en Chile en virtud del artículo 13 del Protocolo facultativo de la Convención sobre los Derechos del Niño relativo a un procedimiento de comunicaciones. https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/HRBodies/CRC/CRC_C_CHL_INQ_1.pdfDate accessed: February 25, 2019 Google Scholar