Aksheyaa Akilan’s Post

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