WHO QualityRights Project – addressing a hidden emergency
All over the world people with mental disabilities experience a wide range of human rights violations, stigma and discrimination.
The care available from mental health facilities around the world is not only of poor quality but in many instances hinders recovery. Training of staff is minimal and outdated, and the level of knowledge and understanding about the human rights of persons with mental disabilities is very poor. It is common for people to be locked away in small, prison-like cells with no human contact, or to be chained to their beds, unable to move. Inhuman and degrading treatment practices are common, and people in facilities are often stripped of their dignity and treated with contempt. Violations are not restricted to inpatient and residential facilities. Many people seeking care from outpatient and community care services are disempowered and also experience extensive restrictions in their basic human rights.
WHO QualityRights: act, unite and empower for better mental health
WHO QualityRights aims to improve the quality and human rights conditions in mental health and social care facilities and empower civil society organization to advocate for the rights of people with mental and psychosocial disabilities.
What are the objectives?
- Improve the quality of services and human rights conditions in inpatient and outpatient mental health facilities.
- Build capacity among service users, families and health workers to understand and promote human rights and recovery from mental disabilities.
- Develop a civil society movement of people with mental disabilities to provide mutual support, conduct advocacy and influence policy-making processes in line with international human rights standards.
- Reform national policies and legislation in line with best practice and international human rights standards.
What are the long term benefits of the project?
The project will put an end to violations being carried out in the full range of mental health and social care facilities and improve the quality of support and care being provided. Not only does this project provide training and develop skills for health care workers and people with mental disabilities to improve services, but it works to reform policy and law and build a lasting legacy of respect for human rights.
Importantly, the project is a building block for a grassroots civil society movement of people with mental disabilities. Through the establishment of civil society organizations, people with mental disabilities can take concerted action against human rights violations. They can participate more fully in community life, gain access to education and employment opportunities, actively contribute to decision-making processes on issues affecting them, and work towards the provision of quality mental health services in the communities where they live.
Contact details
Mental health policy and service development
Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, WHO Geneva.
- Dr Michelle Funk, Coordinator: funkm@who.int
- Ms Natalie Drew, Technical officer: drewn@who.int
- Dr Kanna Sugiura, Technical officer: sugiuraka@who.int
- Ms Sarah Skeen, Technical officer: skeens@who.int
- Ms Patricia Robertson, Administrative Assistant: robertsonp@who.int
