Psychiatria pre prax 2/2026
to life – A Practical manual for healthcare professionals
The right to life is a fundamental human right with particular importance in healthcare, especially in psychiatry. Violations of the right to life represent some of the most serious human rights breaches. Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights (Convention) guarantees that no one shall be arbitrarily deprived of life. Its application extends beyond actual deaths to situations where life is at real and immediate risk. The difference between criminal and human rights protection lies in scope: criminal law assesses individual culpability, whereas human rights law evaluates positive obligations of the state – creating a safe system, ensuring effective investigations, and maintaining oversight. In psychiatric practice, healthcare professionals must actively assess life-threatening risks and take proportionate measures while respecting the patient’s rights and dignity. European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) case law points not only to the suicide risks but also to other life-threatening situations, such as third-party interventions, misuse of restraints, or inappropriate police actions in hospital settings. From this arises a practical risk assessment test for healthcare staff, which is non-binding, derived from ECtHR case law, and may be applied alongside applicable legal regulations and standard protocols approved by the Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic, such as the “Acute Management of Adult Patients with Suicidal Syndrome in Specialized Psychiatric Care”. In conclusion, protecting life in psychiatric care combines preventive, organizational, and individual measures, creating a system that minimizes risk, ensures respect for human rights, and safeguards the legal and professional integrity of healthcare providers.
Keywords: right to life, psychiatric care, European Court of Human Rights, suicide risk, positive obligations of the state
