RESUMO
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Article 12 General Commentary, explicitly states that persons with mental illnesses must always have full exercise of their legal rights in all their aspects. Assistants or support persons must not substitute or have undue influence on the decisions of persons with disabilities, including the expression of their consent. However, the number of involuntary psychiatric hospitalizations appears to be increasing globally and in our country. This article reviews the national and international context of involuntary hospitalizations, including the Chilean legislation and administrative rules, the published evidence about patients' outcomes and clinician attitudes. The authors conclude that the conflict in this issue is not limited to the respect for autonomy and the obligation to provide care. We are now experiencing a new way of caring patients. The complex local, social and cultural realities, require a renewed knowledge and documentation of experiences.