World Mental Health 2015

Most of the times we sneer at people who have mental health challenges. We easily judge them and categorise them. It does not help that we normally have less respect towards them and without knowing penalise them. That is we are prejudiced against mentally ill patients. While it is easy to sympathise and empathise with physically sick patients, we do not show the same patience and understanding towards mentally sick patients.

Image Courtesy:Flickr Tony Alter

October 10th is World Mental Health Day. This year's theme is dignity and mental health.

The following is an excerpt from World Health Organisation site.

"What is dignity?

Dignity refers to an individual’s inherent value and worth and is strongly linked to respect, recognition, self-worth and the possibility to make choices. Being able to live a life with dignity stems from the respect of basic human rights including:

• freedom from violence and abuse;
• freedom from discrimination;
• autonomy and self-determination;
• inclusion in community life; and
• participation in policy-making

The dignity of many people with mental health conditions is not respected

• Frequently they are locked up in institutions where they are isolated from society and subject to inhumane and degrading treatment.
• Many are subjected to physical, sexual and emotional abuse and neglect in hospitals and prisons, but also in their communities.
• They are very often deprived of the right to make decisions for themselves. Many are systematically denied the right to make decisions about their mental health care and treatment, where they want to live, and their personal and financial affairs.
• They are denied access to general and mental health care. As a consequence they are more likely to die prematurely, compared with the general population.
• They are often deprived of access to education and employment opportunities. Stigma and misconceptions about mental health conditions means that people also face discrimination in employment and are denied opportunities to work and make a living. Children with mental health conditions are also frequently excluded from educational opportunities. This leads to marginalisation and exclusion from employment opportunities in later life.
• They are prevented from participating fully in society. They are denied the possibility to take part in public affairs, to vote or stand for public office. They are not given the opportunity to participate in decision-making processes on issues affecting them, such as mental health policy and legislative or service reform. In addition, access to recreational and cultural activities is often denied to people with mental health conditions.

How can we promote the rights and dignity of people with mental health conditions?

In the health-care system we need to provide better support and care for people with mental health conditions by:

• providing community-based services, encompassing a recovery approach that inspires hope and supports people to achieve their goals and aspirations;
• respecting people’s autonomy, including their right to make their own decisions about their treatment and care; and
• ensuring access to good quality care which promotes human rights, is responsive to people’s needs, and respects their values, choices and preferences.

In the community we need to:

• support people with mental health conditions to participate in community life, and acknowledge the value of their contribution;
• respect their autonomy to make decisions for themselves, including about their living arrangements and personal and financial matters;
• ensure their access to employment, education, housing, social support and other opportunities; and
• include people in decision-making processes on issues affecting them, including policy, legislation and health service reform relating to mental health."

Hope we as a society give better support to people with mental diseases.