Goiás Public Institutions Sign Agreement to Implement and Monitor Antimanicomial Mental Health Policy
Goiás institutions have signed a cooperative agreement to implement and monitor a humane antimanicomial policy aimed at protecting the rights and dignity of individuals with mental health conditions.
- • Federal Public Ministry and Goiás institutions signed a cooperation agreement on April 9, 2026.
- • The agreement focuses on humane treatment and rights of individuals with mental health issues.
- • Signatories include Goiás state government departments, MPGO, and the Public Defender's Office.
- • The policy emphasizes community living, integrated care, and social inclusion through networks like RAPS.
Key details
On April 9, 2026, the Federal Public Ministry (MPF) signed a cooperation agreement at the Goiás Court of Justice to advance the implementation and monitoring of the antimanicomial mental health policy within the Goiás justice system. The agreement was formalized by MPF representatives, including substitute chief prosecutor Alexandre Moreira Tavares dos Santos and federal prosecutor Ailton Benedito, alongside the Goiás state government through its Health, Social Development, and Public Security Secretariats, the General Directorate of Penal Police, the Goiás State Public Ministry (MPGO), and the Goiás Public Defender's Office (DPE-GO).
This initiative aims to ensure more humane and appropriate treatment for individuals with mental health conditions, reinforcing their rights to freedom, community living, and dignified care while moving away from traditional institutionalization in psychiatric hospitals. The policy emphasizes social inclusion and integrated care through the consolidation of the Psychosocial Care Network (RAPS) and related social assistance systems.
According to Alexandre Moreira Tavares dos Santos, "Although the legislation is old, the priority is its effective implementation. This is exactly what is happening now: we are kicking off the execution of this antimanicomial policy to ensure more humane and appropriate treatment for individuals suffering from mental health issues." The development of this agreement was supported by the 'Fazendo Justiça' program, a partnership between the National Justice Council (CNJ) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), aligning local action with national and international guidelines.
This cooperation agreement marks a significant step toward humanizing mental health care within Goiás's justice framework, emphasizing respect, citizenship, and the dismantling of stigma and isolation associated with mental illness.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
