There is an “urgent need for policy changes” regarding mental health, the former United Nations special rapporteur has said.
Addressing a World Mental Health Day conference in Belfast, Professor Dainius Puras said there is “heavy reliance on fixing individual ‘disorders’ and further investments in the status quo reinforce the vicious cycle of discrimination, disempowerment, coercion and over-medicalisation”.
He added: “There is increasing understanding globally, mental health challenges should be addressed differently”.
“First of all, this is about fully embracing a human rights based approach.
“Change is needed. It is already happening in many parts of the world, through innovative rights based, non-coercive services and initiatives, such as the Give 5 Rights Framework, which I commend to government and recommend they support,” said Professor Puras.
Thursday’s event, organised by the New Script for Mental Health campaign, also saw the launch of the group’s Give 5: Steps to a Wellbeing Rights Framework.
Spokesperson Sara Boyce described the human rights framework as “grounded on United Nations and World Health Organisation human rights standards”.
“Across the globe there is a shift taking place. In Northern Ireland we must move away from simply ticking boxes and focus on real transformation,” she said.
“We are on a precipice. Our healthcare system is overwhelmed and our health professionals, who themselves are experiencing harm, are not properly equipped to deal with those who are being given an impossible hill to climb by themselves.
“People are barely surviving while living in poverty, faced with homelessness or housing stress, experiencing violence, discrimination, racism, isolation or toxic work cultures, and these are drivers of distress and trauma.”
