The ITHACA project has developed a method to assess the management of human rights and health care within social- and health care institutions, which provide services for individuals with mental ill-health, mental disability or dependency.

Users involvement and good practices

The project’s primary focus was to strengthen the influence of users by involving them in the assessment process. In addition, the project identified good practices for protecting human rights and dignity and for promoting clients’ general health.
Best practice recommendations for mental health and substance abuse institutions

Implementation and funding of the ITHACA project

The Finnish ITHACA project was part of the implementation of the EU Health Programme in many EU countries. In Finland the project was implemented in the Ostrobothnia Region by the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) Vaasa Satellite Office in collaboration with the service user organisation the Finnish Central Association for Mental Health, and the City of Kokkola in 2007–2010. THL was also responsible for the overall evaluation of the European project.

The European Commission Health Programme co-funded the project, which was co-ordinated by Prof. Graham Thornicroft of the Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College, London, UK.