Perception of human rights temperature of community in persons with severe mental illnesses

Abstract

Background: Despite the rights of persons with mental illnesses (PwMI) are protected by law in India, human rights of PwMI is being violated in many ways. There is dearth of literature on the human rights of PwMI in India. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted to understand the perceived human rights temperature of community in PwMI. Data were collected from PwMI (diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and schizoaffective disorder, and symptomatically stable for 3 years) seeking outpatient psychiatric treatment from private psychiatric hospitals and clinics in Kozhikode (Calicut) district of Kerala state, India. Data were collected using “Taking the Human Rights Temperature of Your Community” which was modified and validated in Indian population and a sociodemographic schedule which was prepared by the researchers. Results: The majority were males (54.2%). Mean duration of illness as 10.42 ± 6.43 years. Mean score of the human rights temperature was 68.31 ± 5.95. Perceived major concerns in the areas of career opportunity (59.5%), discrimination in hiring for work (61.3%), help and care in development of PwMI (64.5%), equal opportunity to avail treatment and cost incurred in it (60.5%), involvement in decision making (46.7%), and responsiveness of the community when any rights violation happens (44.9%). Conclusion: Human rights of PwMI are a major concern. Functioning of the mental health authority and legal aid clinics has to be strengthened to address rights issues of PwMI.