Bill of Rights for Persons with Mental Illness.

The World Psychiatric Association (WPA), a global organization representing nearly 250 000 psychiatrists, urges ALL Governments to ensure that persons with mental illness/mental disability/mental health problems are not discriminated against based on their mental health status, and are treated as full citizens enjoying all rights on an equal basis with other citizens. The WPA supports the efforts of the international community as expressed through various international human rights Covenants and Conventions, and, more particularly, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The WPA reiterates that persons with mental illness/mental disability/ mental health problems have the capacity to hold rights and exercise their rights and should, therefore, be treated on an equal basis with other citizens. This includes, but is not limited to: