World Mental Health Day October 10, 2023 

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease. This holistic approach is relatively new and indicates a shift in how “the right to a standard of living adequate for health and well-being” is now understood, first enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 70 years ago.

World Mental Health Day is an opportunity for people with mental health conditions, advocates, governments, employers, employees, and other stakeholders to come together and be vocal about what we need to do to ensure Mental Health is a fundamental human right for all people.

Everyone, whoever and wherever they are, has a right to the highest attainable standard of mental health. This includes the right to be protected from mental health risks, the right to available, accessible, acceptable, and good quality care, and the right to liberty, independence and inclusion in the community.

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Good mental health is vital to our overall health and well-being. Yet one in eight people globally are living with mental health conditions, which can impact their physical health, well-being, connection with others, and livelihoods. Mental health conditions also affect an increasing number of adolescents and young people.  

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Having a mental health condition should never be a reason to deprive a person of their human rights or exclude them from decisions about their health. Yet, worldwide, people with mental health conditions continue to experience a wide range of human rights violations. Many are excluded from community life and discriminated against, while many more cannot access the mental health care they need or can only access care that violates their human rights.

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WHO continues to work with its partners to ensure mental health is valued, promoted, and protected and that urgent action is taken so that everyone can exercise their human rights and access the quality mental health care they need. Join the World Mental Health Day 2023 campaign to learn more about your fundamental right to mental health as well as how to protect the rights of others. World Mental Health Day 2023 - Mental health is a universal human right (who.int)

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On Monday, 9 October 2023 (12:30 to 14:30 CEST), join the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) for the launch of their new publication “Mental Health, Human Rights and Legislation: guidance and practice”. It provides information to enable policymakers, legislators and other stakeholders to formulate laws and policies in line with international human rights standards, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It also offers practical information on how to develop, implement and evaluate mental health-related legislation and policy following a rights-based process.

To Registrater for this event, go to:  https://who.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-6LBmzY2SWaFQUIFNK3ZvA

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