Human Rights and Mental Health in the United States: Lessons from Latin America

Abstract

During the past 10 years a small but growing number of mental health researchers and practitioners have developed collaborative relationships with Latin American colleagues working in the area of human rights and mental health. Illustrative programs include public opinion surveys to give voice to the victims of government and military repression in El Salvador, and creative workshops for children of the disappeared in Argentina. It has been especially troubling for those in the United States to discover repeatedly that U.S. foreign policy has often played a direct or indirect role in creating the conditions necessitating these kinds of interventions. This article briefly summarizes selected human rights and mental health activities in which U.S. psychologists are engaged. Psychological insights and examples of specific political and professional practice that have emerged from collaboration with Latin American psychologists are described. A partial list of groups and organizations that belong to a growing human rights and mental health network in the U.S. is also included to provide readers with opportunities to become involved in this work.