Ajay Chandra’s Post

The guidance proposes new objectives for law, including setting a clear mandate for mental health systems to adopt a rights-based approach. It outlines legal provisions required to promote deinstitutionalization and access to good quality, person-centred community mental health services. It highlights how laws can address stigma and discrimination and provides concrete measures on how to eliminate coercion in mental health services in favour of practices that respect people’s rights and dignity. article link: https://lnkd.in/eFZYmSbZ #mentalhealth #legalization #humanrights

... The guidance proposes new objectives for law, including setting a clear mandate for mental health systems to adopt a rights-based approach. It outlines legal provisions required to promote deinstitutionalization and access to good quality, person-centred community mental health services. It highlights how laws can address stigma and discrimination and provides concrete measures on how to eliminate coercion in mental health services in favour of practices that respect people’s rights and dignity...

Overview Mental health is growing as a public health priority and human rights imperative, and an increasing number of countries are wishing to adopt or reform legislation related to mental health. However, laws on mental health, currently often fail to address discrimination and human rights violations including in mental health care settings. In order to support countries in this area, the World Health Organization and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights have jointly developed the publication entitled “Mental health, human rights and legislation: guidance and practice”. The guidance proposes new objectives for law, including setting a clear mandate for mental health systems to adopt a rights-based approach. It outlines legal provisions required to promote deinstitutionalization and access to good quality, person-centred community mental health services. It highlights how laws can address stigma and discrimination and provides concrete measures on how to eliminate coercion in mental health services in favour of practices that respect people’s rights and dignity. The Guidance also provides key information on how to adopt a human rights-based approach when reviewing, adopting, implementing and evaluating mental health related laws, and includes a practical checklist enabling countries to assess whether their laws align with current human rights standards

The deep flaws in a biomedical model have been articulated by people with lived experience for years and years. Pathologisation, victim-blaming and discrimination & stigma are still rife. This new WHO guidance is well overdue. It proposes new objectives for law, including setting a clear mandate for mental health systems to adopt a rights-based approach. It outlines legal provisions required to promote deinstitutionalization and access to good quality, person-centred community mental health services. It highlights how laws can address stigma and discrimination and provides concrete measures on how to eliminate coercion in mental health services in favour of practices that respect people’s rights and dignity. Time for a change.

A much needed and timely guidance on how to make mental health legislation promote a rights-based, person-centred approach and deinstitutionalisation.

Mental health is increasingly recognized as a significant public health concern and a matter of human rights globally. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) have collaborated on a publication titled "Mental health, human rights and legislation: guidance and practice." Many countries are looking to develop or reform mental health legislation, but existing laws often do not adequately address discrimination and human rights violations in mental health care settings. The guidance suggests new objectives for mental health laws, emphasizing a rights-based approach and mandating mental health systems to follow suit. It outlines legal provisions necessary to promote deinstitutionalization and ensure access to high-quality, person-centered community mental health services. The guidance also addresses the role of laws in combating stigma and discrimination and provides practical steps to replace coercion in mental health services with practices that respect individuals' rights and dignity. It offers guidance on adopting a human rights-based approach during the review, adoption, implementation, and evaluation of mental health-related laws. The publication includes a practical checklist to help countries assess whether their mental health laws align with current human rights standards. Here's the link to the document: https://lnkd.in/g-6A9GBf

On October 9th, 2023, The World Health Organisation and the United Nations collaboratively published new guidance on moving away from the biomedical model of mental health and, instead, focusing on the social determinants, oppression, poverty, abuse, violence, and other contextual factors that caused trauma and distress in humans. This significant report moves us away from the “biomedical paradigm” that has contributed to coercive and confined environments in mental health services to more holistic, person-centered, and human rights-based approaches that are trauma-informed. The new guidance is here: https://lnkd.in/gUZwxE_J

Mental health, human rights and legislation: guidance and practice. The joint UN and WHO report makes an emphatic call to avoid the over-medicalization of emotional distress and spotlights social determinants of mental illness. 👏🏽

We congratulate those involved and welcome the new "Mental health, human rights and legislation; Guidance and practice" report from the World Health Organization and OCHCR that highlights the fundamental need for highlighting every person's human right to care. This guidance is an invaluable tool for countries embarking on mental health law reform. Suicide and therefore suicide prevention is recognized as a global public health priority within UN SDGs. Key recommendations related to suicide prevention focus on the decriminalisation of suicide, better data collection to inform and drive policies and interventions among others; all key components within the development of national suicide prevention strategies. #WorldMentalHealthDay

European Parliament Sets New Benchmark in Mental Health Advocacy 🙌 After last week's encouraging update from the Health Council of the European Union, the European Parliament has now taken a monumental step in #mentalhealth #advocacy. On 12 December 2023, a comprehensive resolution was adopted, marking a significant milestone. 🌟 Key Highlights 🔹 Mental Health as a Fundamental Right: The resolution emphasises mental health as a universal #humanright, vital for both individual and societal well-being. It calls for parity between mental and physical health, recognising their interdependence. 🔹Focus on Vulnerable Groups: The resolution pays special attention to the needs of vulnerable groups, including women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, adolescents, and the elderly, advocating for tailored mental health support. 🔹Digitalisation and Mental Health: The potential of digital technologies in mental health care is acknowledged, alongside the risks they pose, like contributing to social isolation. 🔹Economic and Social Impact: It highlights the significant economic and social consequences of mental health conditions and calls for comprehensive policies that include early intervention. 🔹Community-Based Care: A shift towards community-based care is advocated, stressing #patient-centered approaches and the involvement of patients and their families in healthcare planning. This resolution aligns with GAMIAN-Europe’s mission; we welcome the actions towards patient-centered approaches, parity of esteem, and the proposed European Year of Mental Health. We consider these steps crucial for shaping a holistic mental health strategy in the EU. 🔗 https://bit.ly/3NoD2Bl