Transforming services and promoting human rights in mental health and related areas
Recent reports from government agencies, the United Nations, nongovernmental organizations and the media highlight extensive and wide ranging violations and discrimination experienced by people with mental health conditions and psychosocial, intellectual or cognitive disabilities. In the health-care context people experience violence, abuse and neglect. In the wider community they are actively discriminated against in education, employment, housing and social services. Furthermore national mental health, guardianship and other laws prevent people from making decisions on all aspects of their lives.
In 2012, WHO created the QualityRights Initiative. This global programme is working to improve the quality of care provides to people with mental health conditions and to promote the human rights of people with mental health conditions, psychosocial, intellectual and cognitive disabilities. Its approach to care and support is rights-based and recovery-oriented. Freedom from coercive interventions, respect for the right to informed consent, and the promotion of autonomy, choice, community inclusion and recovery are at the core of this programme.
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More information on the QualityRights Initiative
