Mental Health and Human Rights: Mental health is no longer just a personal issue; it has become a topic deeply intertwined with human rights. Yet, in many parts of the world, people struggling with mental health issues face not only the illness itself but also discrimination, neglect, mistreatment, and violations of their rights. This article aims to explain how mental health and human rights are connected and what every patient should know about their rights.
What is Mental Health?
Mental health is not merely the absence of mental illness. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health is a state of well-being in which an individual realizes their own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively, and is able to make a contribution to their community.
When a person’s mental balance is disrupted—due to conditions like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or PTSD—it affects their thoughts, feelings, behavior, and social life.
The Connection Between Mental Health and Human Rights
Human rights are the fundamental rights that every human being is entitled to from birth—whether physically healthy or mentally ill.
Human rights related to mental health include:
- The right to live with respect and dignity
- The right to be free from discrimination
- The right to appropriate and quality healthcare
- The right to privacy
- The right to make independent decisions
Unfortunately, people with mental illnesses are often denied these rights.
Common Discrimination Faced by People with Mental Illness
Social Stigma
- Mental illness is still associated with weakness, madness, or shame in many societies.
- People are afraid to seek treatment
- Patients are ostracized from society
- Discrimination occurs in marriage, employment, and relationships
Forced Treatment and Detention
In many cases, without the patient’s consent:
- Medications are administered
- Electroshock therapy is performed
- Patients are confined to mental institutions for extended periods
- This is a serious violation of human rights.
Violation of Privacy
A patient’s medical information is shared without permission, harming their social image and self-esteem.
Fundamental Rights of Every Mental Health Patient
Right to Respect and Dignity: Every patient has the right to be treated as a human being. Humiliation, assault, or inhumane treatment based on illness is unacceptable under any circumstances.
Right to Consent to or Refuse Treatment:The patient has the right to know what their treatment is
What are the benefits and risks of the medication or therapy
Treating someone without their knowledge or consent is wrong (except in emergencies)
Right to Quality Healthcare Mental health services:
- Should be accessible
- Should be affordable and scientifically based
- Should be provided by trained doctors and counselors
Right to Protection from Discrimination:There should be no discrimination based on mental illness in employment, education, insurance, housing, or social services.
Right to Privacy and Confidentiality: The patient’s identity, medical reports, and conversations should be kept confidential.
Role of Family and Society: Mental health is not solely the responsibility of the patient. Family, society, and the government all play a significant role.
What the family can do?
- Do not blame the patient
- Be patient and empathetic
- Cooperate with the treatment
- Listen to them seriously
- Society’s Responsibility
- Stop calling mental illness “madness”
- Spread awareness
- Promote empathy and inclusion
- Role of Government and Law
Many countries have enacted laws related to mental health, aimed at protecting the rights of patients.
Such laws typically ensure that:
- Treatment is humane and respectful
- Patients receive legal protection
- Mental health institutions are monitored
- A system for filing complaints is in place
However, laws are only effective when patients and their families are aware of their rights.
Mental Health and Workplace Rights
Mental health issues also affect working life. A patient has the right to:
- Receive adequate leave (Mental Health Leave)
- A supportive work environment
- Not be dismissed from their job due to illness (unless it constitutes a serious disability)
- Workplaces should take mental health as seriously as physical health.
Mental Health and Human Dignity
Mental illness is not a person’s identity. It can be a phase of life that can be overcome with proper treatment and support. When a person is deprived of their rights, their illness can worsen.
Human dignity means:
- Freedom of expression
- Freedom to make decisions
- A life of respect
- Mental health patients are also entitled to all of these.
Why is Awareness Important?
Most rights violations occur because:
- Patients are unaware of their rights
- Families remain silent due to fear or shame
- Society does not question the status quo
Awareness leads to:
- Patients becoming empowered
- Reduced exploitation
- Mental health being accepted as a normal topic
Conclusion
Mental health and human rights are inseparable. Mental illness does not diminish a person’s humanity. Every patient has the right to respect, freedom, security, and appropriate treatment.
When we view mental health through the lens of human rights, our behavior changes—fear is replaced by understanding, neglect by compassion, and silence by a voice.
A healthy society is one where individuals with mental health challenges receive the same respect and rights as any other person.
