In a message in New York on Saturday to mark World Mental Health Day, observed on Oct. 10, Ban said everyone had the right to respect and dignity.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon
has called for policies and laws that will ensure that people with
mental health and psychosocial disabilities live with dignity.
In
a message in New York on Saturday to mark World Mental Health Day,
observed on Oct. 10, Ban said everyone had the right to respect and
dignity.
"Everyone is entitled to their hopes
and dreams, to work, enjoy family and friends, go about their life
without stigma and discrimination and participate in decisions that
affect them.
"Policies and laws need to ensure this, services need to promote this and communities need to support this.
"Together,
we can help make sure that people with mental health and psychosocial
disabilities can live with the dignity that is integral to a healthy and
fulfilling life," he said.
Ban said the day,
provided an opportunity to raise awareness of the challenges faced by
people with mental and psychosocial disabilities and of efforts needed
to ensure that they could lead fulfilling and satisfying lives.
He
said in spite of a number of critical measures to address the
challenges, many people around the world living with mental and
psychosocial disabilities still faced discrimination, stigmatisation as
well as physical, sexual and emotional abuse and neglect.
"A
lack of qualified health professionals, use of coercion in treatment
and imprisonment in isolated mental and social health facilities,
further hinders their basic human rights and their prospects of
recovery," he said.
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