International Examples

Reducing and eliminating the use of seclusion in mental health settings has been a priority for several countries globally.

Australia identified the elimination of seclusion use as a national priority (National Mental Health Commission, 2015), and more than halved its seclusion rates from 2009 to 2024 (Seclusion and Restraint - Mental Health, 2025).

The Netherlands implemented a nationwide Seclusion Reduction Program from 2006 to 2012. While there was an overall reduction in seclusion rates initially, rates rose after the program ended (Vruwink et al., 2021).

In Iceland, seclusion has not been used for 30 years (within the one psychiatric hospital serving the country). (O’Donovan et al., 2023)