Council of Europe's Committee against Torture points to problems in Ukraine’s psychiatric and social care institutions
The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has highlighted problems in psychiatric hospitals and social care institutions in Ukraine, including unequal living conditions, staff shortages, and an overreliance on medication-based treatment.
This is stated in a report published on Thursday following the Committee’s second visit to Ukraine since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukrinform reports.
The report examines the treatment and living conditions of people involuntarily admitted and treated in psychiatric hospitals, as well as residents housed in social welfare facilities (boarding schools and boarding houses) for the elderly and disabled in Lviv, Kyiv, Orlivka, Vinnytsia, and the Odesa region.
“The CPT received no allegations of physical mistreatment by staff at the facilities visited. Overall, the atmosphere was relaxed, and the delegation observed good relations between staff and patients/residents. While conflicts between patients or residents did occasionally occur, they were not serious, and staff intervened promptly and appropriately whenever necessary,” the document states.
At the same time, living conditions varied significantly between institutions. The best conditions were observed in renovated wards in Lviv and Hlevakha (Kyiv), where patients lived in smaller rooms and received a more personalized approach. In contrast, some wards in Orlivka, certain forensic psychiatric units in Hlevakha, and several departments in Lviv did not meet such standards. The committee urged the authorities to accelerate renovations.
Staff shortages were identified as a separate issue. The report notes that while the number of medical personnel appeared sufficient, “there were too few psychologists and other therapeutic staff, such as occupational therapists and physiotherapists, as well as an insufficient number of social workers”.
Against this backdrop, the committee called on Ukrainian authorities to “intensify their efforts to further develop therapeutic services and involve more patients in psychosocial rehabilitation activities.”
Regarding treatment approaches, the committee observed an excessive reliance on pharmacotherapy and urged the authorities to significantly broaden the range of treatment methods.
“In the three psychiatric hospitals visited, treatment relied primarily on pharmacotherapy, which was generally adequate,” the report says. However, in Orlivka, doses and combinations of certain medications were quite high.
Isolation was not practiced in any of the psychiatric hospitals visited.
“Isolation was not practiced in any of the psychiatric hospitals visited, while mechanical restraint (immobilization) was rarely used, being employed only as a last resort and always for short periods,” the report notes.
A separate section addresses voluntary and involuntary hospitalization. The report states that current legislation on involuntary admission and treatment in psychiatric hospitals was generally properly observed. All civilian patients admitted by a doctor were required to sign three consent forms confirming their agreement to hospitalization, diagnostic procedures, and compliance with internal regulations.
In addition, the Committee expressed concern that, despite repeated recommendations, in three of the institutions visited, directors acted as legal guardians for many residents declared legally incapacitated.
In conclusion, the Committee called on Ukraine to continue deinstitutionalization, renovate facilities, strengthen staffing, expand treatment methods, and ensure genuine, free, and informed consent to treatment for all patients and residents formally staying on a voluntary basis.
At the same time, the Committee specifically noted strong cooperation with the Ukrainian side. The summary states that, despite the extremely difficult situation in the country, “the delegation received excellent cooperation at all levels throughout the visit.”
The Committee carried out an ad hoc visit to Ukraine from May 26 to June 6, 2025.
As reported, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) will continue to support and cooperate with Ukraine.
Photo: illustrative (Pavlo Borysov)