IMHC Conference on Mental Health, Human Rights and Legislation
More than 150 people attended a conference hosted by the Irish Mental Health Coalition (IMHC) entitled Mental Health: Human Rights and Legislation - What’s possible in Ireland at the Radisson Royal SAS Hotel in central Dublin on 18 May. The aim of the conference was to kick-start a discussion on how legislation could be used to uphold international human rights standards relating to mental health services and to realise the ambitions of A Vision for Change, the Government’s mental health policy.
Speaking at the conference, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health, Anand Grover, outlined the basis and content of the right to health in international human rights law. He emphasised the key principles of progressive realisation, non-retrogression, accountability and efficiency as well as effective participation by rights holders. He commended the Irish Government on the adoption of A Vision for Change, which he described “as a very important policy document radically changing the way mental service is viewed in Ireland”, but stressed the urgent need for law to back up that policy.
Dr Mary Keys of NUI Galway was also among the 12 speakers at the conference. She outlined just how tough it currently was for many service users and called for the urgent need for government to start implementing A Vision for Change. John Redican, National Executive Officer of the National Service Users Executive, spoke about the many ways in which the human rights of users of mental health services are not always respected in practice.
And British legal expert Camilla Parker discussed possible ways in which legislation could provide a framework for the implementation and enforcement of policy and ensure the protection and promotion of human rights of persons using mental health services.
In the final address of the day Minister of State for Disability, Mental Health and Equality John Moloney, TD, confirmed he would be creating a new post within the HSE to lead on the implementation of A Vision for Change. He also gave a personal commitment to the audience that proceeds from the sale of mental health hospitals and lands would be ring fenced for spending on mental health services.
Log on to www.AVisionofRights.ie to find out more and to keep updated on the progress of the debate.