Monday, October 25, 2010

EQ] Supporting the Implementation of Mental Health Policies in the Americas - A Human Rights Law-Based Approach

Supporting the Implementation of Mental Health Policies in the Americas:

Findings, Trends, and Targets for Public Health Action

Pan American Health Organization, PAHO/WHO 2010


This project was supported by Sida (Swedish Cooperation) from 2001 to 2005 and covered visits to 17 countries of the PAHO/WHO Region in collaboration with
PAHO /WHO representation offices, Governments, civil society and regional treaty bodies

 

Available online PDF [85p.] at: http://bit.ly/98synw

“………Historically, violations of human rights concerning physical impairments or illnesses have often drawn more attention from interest groups than violations related to mental health and/or psychiatric disorders. Within the public health and human rights law fields, this imbalance has contributed to the marginalization and discrimination of persons with mental disabilities and/or disorders, as compared with those affected with other kinds of health problems, diseases, epidemics and/or disabilities.

This paper is based on first hand experiences from nineteen human rights educational workshops and consultations carried out in the PAHO Region. These consultations started in Central America and continued in South America and the Caribbean in 17 countries. The workshops included an average of 35 participants per workshop, from governmental agencies (ministries of health, labor, education and finance), civil society, as well as judges, legislators, ombudspersons, the media, consumers and family members.


During these events PAHO’s human rights experts, in close collaboration with mental health specialists, introduced relevant human rights’ concepts, principles, norms, and guidelines as established in international human rights law (treaties and standards) applicable to the context of mental health systems………..…….”
Dr. Mirta Roses, PAHO/WHO Director

Content:

FOREWORD

1. Introduction and Background

1.1. Bridging the Gap in Mental Health Care Using a Human Rights Law-based Approach

1.2. Responding to the Problem

1.3. National, Subregional, and Regional Workshops

1.4. Visits to Psychiatric Facilities

1.5. Research Objectives and Methodology


2. Targets for Public Health Action Based on the Findings and on Trends in Mental Health


3. Summaries of Workshop Findings: Trends in Mental Health Management in Participating Countries in the Region of the Americas


4. Case Study: How a Workshop Can Make a Difference in People’s Lives


5. Case Review and PAHO Interventions

5.1 Incident

5.2 PAHO/WHO Interventions


6. Summary of PAHO/WHO Interventions in Paraguay Case Study

ANNEX 1 International Human Rights Instruments used in the Project

ANNEX 2 International Human Rights Instruments Applicable to Persons with Mental Disorders and/or Disabilities

 

Also available in Spanish:

 

Hallazgos, Tendencias, Medidas Estratégicas para Acción en Salud Pública:
enfoque basado en los Derechos Humanos
– OPS/OMS http://bit.ly/aQl4KA

 

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