There are more than 450 million people with mental, neurological or behavioural problems throughout the world. In many countries, they are among the most vulnerable and the least legally protected. Nearly a quarter of all countries have no mental health legislation, while many more have legislation that poorly protects the human rights of people with mental disorders, or does not reflect currently accepted mental health practices.
For example, in some communities, people with mental disorders are tied or chained to trees or logs. Others are incarcerated in prisons without having been accused of a crime. In many psychiatric institutions and hospitals, patients face gross violations of their rights. People are restrained with metal shackles, confined in caged beds, deprived of clothing, decent bedding, clean water or proper toilet facilities and are subject to abuse.
In addition, people with mental disorders often face social isolation and severe stigmatization which results in additional human rights violations, including discrimination in education, employment and housing. Some countries even prohibit people from voting, marrying or having children.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently published the Resource Book on Mental Health, Human Rights and Legislation, which includes input from consultations with hundreds of experts and stakeholders throughout the world, leaders in psychiatry, psychology, law, and human rights, as well as representatives from mental health service users, family groups and NGOs.
The book examines international human rights standards and shows how they apply to people with mental disorders, addresses the ‘why’ and the ‘how-to’ of drafting, adopting and implementation, as well as linking legislation with mental health policy. The book also includes a ‘step-by-step’ checklist for reviewing existing legislation and developing new laws.
The WHO has also established an international network of experts in mental health, law, and human rights trained in the WHO framework for mental health legislation. Currently, WHO and network members are offering technical advice and assistance to several countries throughout the world.
Mental health issues will be the focus for WHO on Human Rights Day on 10 December 2005.
For further information on mental health:
– [->http://www.who.int/mental_health/en/]
– [->http://www.who.int/nmh]