[Construction of an Institutional Declaration of Duties and Rights of Mentally Ill Patients].

INTRODUCTION A process of construction of institutional declaration of mental health patient's duties and rights is shown, highlighting that mentally ill people are considered particularly susceptible to the violation of their rights. Some aspects from historical, quality issues and law in Colombia are presented. Some declarations of rights were available, but they needed to be updated and adapted to the specific conditions of mental hospital health care. MATERIAL AND METHODS Qualitative research, literature search, focus groups and consultation meetings of duties and rights with representatives of patients, families, residents of psychiatry, medicine students, and mental health workers. It sets out general principles and definitions, looking understandability of the Declaration by the different groups involved. RESULTS The final document had users participation, this methodology is compatible with the regulations in Colombia, bioethical principles, quality issues and community participation. The final declaration was approved and integrated with corporate information.