This article explores the global crisis of human rights violations within mental health care and the interdependence of mental health and human rights. Across the globe, stigma and discrimination are identified as major barriers to accessing treatment, quality of treatment, and funding mental health. Check out some of our favorite quotes below and access the full article from the American Psychological Association here for more information on these issues and the APA’s proposed solutions.
“There is growing recognition within the international community that mental health is one of the most neglected, yet essential development issues in achieving internationally agreed development goals. The [global agencies] have advocated for a number of policy shifts to address the stigma and discrimination specifically experienced by people with mental illness, and/or with psychosocial disabilities. These policies include the systematic inclusion of human rights in policy and the recognition of the individual’s autonomy, agency and dignity. Key areas to target include:
- Improving access and quality of mental health service delivery.
- Creating legal and policy environments that are conducive to the realization of the human rights of persons with mental health conditions and psychosocial disabilities.
- Integrating prevention programming and policy that combats stigma and discrimination.”
“The relationship between mental health and human rights is an integral and interdependent one. For instance, human rights violations such as torture and displacement negatively affect mental health. Second, mental health practices, programs, and laws, such as coercive treatment practices, can hinder human rights. Finally, the advancement of human rights benefits mental health. These benefits extend beyond mental health to the close connection between physical and mental health. There are thus clinical and economic reasons, as well as moral and legal obligations, to advance mental health care as fundamental to human rights.”