October 10th marks World Mental Health Day, a day created to bring awareness to the stigma of mental illness. This stigma results in thousands being deprived of their human rights. Not only are these patients discriminated against, stigmatized and marginalized but they are also subject to violence and abuse.
“… discrimination against any person on the basis of disability is a violation of the inherent dignity and worth of the human person”.
– UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
This year’s theme is “Dignity in Mental Health” and focuses on raising awareness to ensure that people with mental health conditions are afforded basic human rights, such as the ability to live with dignity through policy and law, informed consent to treatment, inclusion in decision-making processes, and public information campaigns.
By Brandon Bordenkircher
Communications Intern