The right to mental health and parity.

Abstract

Byline: Dinesh. Bhugra, Jonathan. Campion, Antonio. Ventriglio, Sue. Bailey Introduction The prevalence of mental disorders is common, but although many policies and settings cover patients with psychoses, other psychiatric conditions are put to one side. Furthermore, majority of people with common mental disorders (which include anxiety and depressive disorders), addictions, intellectual disabilities and co-morbidities receive no intervention ven in best-resourced countries. Although mental disorders are defined by diagnostic criteria, social and value-laden personal constructs usually override these so that stigma, discrimination and ignorance result in a lack of access to evidence-based interventions to treat mental disorder, prevent mental disorder and promote mental health. In this paper, we highlight need for both policy makers and those who provide services to consider issues related to parity between resources allocated to physical and mental health. Right to Health Right to health incorporates civil, social and health dimensions. Regarding right to health, World Health Organization (WHO, 1946) constitution made it clear that the enjoyment of highest attainable standard of health is one of fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition. Governments have a responsibility for health of their people, which can be fulfilled only by provision of adequate health and social measures. [sup][1] The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) also reads: Everyone has right to a standard of living adequate for health of himself and of their family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services. [sup][2] Subsequently, Alma Alta declaration [sup][3] of 1978 reiterated fundamental right to enjoyment of highest attainable standard of health and is widely recognized in many human rights declarations (International Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination: ICEAFRD, 1965; [sup][4] Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women: CEAFDAW, 1979; [sup][5] Convention on Rights of Child: CORC, 1989; [sup][6] European Social Charter, 1965; [sup][7] African Charter, 1981; [sup][8] American Convention, 1988 [sup][9] ). These charters and amendments are often used as basis of legal framework, but regrettably not all time. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights has at its core three key aspects important to health care: *Preserve, extend and improve life of people in need based on equality (for treatment and cure irrespective of gender, race, language, religion and opinions and socioeconomic conditions) *Quality (high quality, up-to-date interventions) *Social responsibility (health and well-being of citizens as a well-funded priority and effective in health promotion and prevention of ill health). In looking at human rights based parity across all health - be it physical or mental or psychosomatic - policymakers must bear these three facets in mind. Hogerzeil in 2006 has pointed out that human rights are legally guaranteed by international, regional and national human rights laws through which individuals are protected especially against actions, which may interfere with human dignity and fundamental freedoms. [sup][10] The right to a disability-free life and to health is closely associated with right to life, and these rights are indispensable for exercise of most other human rights. Freedom from discrimination is at core of all rights. Evolution of Rights It is important to acknowledge that these frameworks and associated changes take a considerable period to be implemented. Higgins in 2012 has highlighted that recognition of rights at an international level gathered pace after Nazi atrocities and mass migration after Second World War. …