This resource page makes available documents and materials that may be useful for individuals and organisations who wish to learn more about mental health legislation and human rights.
United Nations Resources
Report of Special Rapporteur on the Right to the Highest Attainable Standard of Health, Paul Hunt, E/CN.4/2005/51, 11 February 2005
In this report, the former UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health explains the meaning of the human right to the highest attainable standard of mental health and how each State should respect, protect and fulfil this right.
World Health Organisation Resources
WHO Resource Book on Mental Health, Human Rights and Legislation: Stop Exclusion, Dare to Care
This resource book sets out the key elements of mental health laws and contains many examples of diverse experiences and practices, as well as extracts of laws and other law-related documents from different countries. These examples do not represent recommendations or “models” to be replicated; rather, they are designed to illustrate what different countries are doing in the area of mental health, human rights and legislation.
In addition, Annex 1 contains a checklist on Mental Health legislation, which can be used in conjunction with the resource book.
The checklist is designed to assist countries in assessing whether key components are included in their mental health law, and in ensuring that the broad recommendations contained in the resource book are carefully examined and considered.
WHO Mental Health Policy and Service Guidance Package: Mental Health Legislation and Human Rights
This document discusses the reasons for introducing mental health legislation and the preliminary activities countries should take in formulating mental health legislation, as well as the key elements of such legislation.
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WHO Summary of Resources on Mental Health Legislation and Human Rights
This document summarises the role of the World Health Organisation in supporting countries to provide human rights oriented mental health laws. It also provides a number of useful links to relevant resources on this topic.
WHO Factsheet on Best Practices: Mental Health, Human Rights and Legislation
This short factsheet gives examples of some countries that have introduced legislation to protect the human rights of persons with mental health difficulties and summarises some of the changes that such legislation has brought about.