Mental Health Law in a Global Context

The World Health Organisation’s Mental Health Action Plan 2013–2020 requires that mental health strategies, actions and interventions and associated laws for treatment, prevention and promotion must be compliant with standards set in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and other international and regional human rights instruments. This reflects the increasingly held view that real and effective implementation of international human rights standards in relation to mental health reduces the risk of abuse in care and treatment situations, as well as stigma and marginalisation. It also drives forward equality of access to care and treatment and to support and services that are vital for rehabilitation and recovery, for the maintenance of good mental health and for underpinning professional ethical standards. Achieving real and effective implementation is not, however, without historical, political, economic, social and legal obstacles. This chapter will consider some of these barriers.