Report calls for human rights based approach to mental health
- Area of Work: The ALLIANCE
- Type: News Item
- Published: 5th March 2021
People with mental health problems continue to face difficulties in accessing their rights, exacerbated by the pandemic.
The Scottish Parliament’s Cross Party Group (CPG) on Mental Health have published their final report of this term, “Priorities for Rights, Information Use and Planning” (this link will take you away from our website). The CPG on Mental Health brings together MSPs from multiple parties with organisations and individuals with lived experience, including the ALLIANCE, with SAMH acting as secretariat.
This report forms part of a two-year inquiry into the Scottish Government’s Mental Health Strategy 2017-2027, and follows three other reports considering different themes within the strategy. It found that people with mental health problems are at higher risk of being denied access to their rights, including the rights to adequate healthcare, adequate standard of living, work opportunities, and participation in communities.
In addition, the use of compulsory treatment has been on the increase, and lack of respect for rights has been evidenced in multiple settings across the community, not just healthcare. Other key findings include:
- The need to consider the adequacy of safeguards relating to covert and involuntary medication
- Discrimination in the labour market
- Lack of diversity in the mental health workforce
- Specific barriers to access for D/deaf people
To address these rights issues, the CPG have issued a list of recommendations for the Scottish Government, Mental Health Law Review, NHS Scotland, Integration Boards, and employers. Implementation of these recommendations would help to embed a human rights based approach to mental health.
End of page.
You may also like:
Read our published response on the voting experiences of people who are Deaf, Deafblind, or who have Visual Impairments.
Continue readingComplete this consultation if you access optometry services, support people to access eye care services, or are an eye care professional.
Continue readingFirst FIFA tournament to have sign language interpretation broadcasts for all matches.
Continue readingThe annual survey by Carers UK helps to shape campaigns and policy work, based on the experiences of unpaid carers.
Continue readingThe Self Management Fund has awarded new grants to 23 organisations across Scotland
Continue readingTheresa Campbell, MSc Psychology student, is investigating the impact of deprivation following cancer treatment.
Continue readingLived experience participation in local decision making affected: "It's draining, I have a chronic condition, hence why I'm going to stop"
Continue readingThe Practice Learning Review Consultation will remain open until 23 July 2026
Continue readingRead our updated members handbook to discover the benefits of your ALLIANCE membership.
Continue readingThe MyCare app is available in the App Store and Play Store.
Continue readingMulti-year funding was at the centre of the Scottish Parliament debate on a Third Sector Partnership Agreement
Continue readingApply for this highly regarded leadership development offer from Leading to Change and PSD Scotland.
Continue readingThe Self Management Programme is changing to focus on the Fund, share learning, and support better health and wellbeing in Scotland.
Continue readingTogethers' new training and consultancy offers are now live.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE joins 54 signatories in calling for accessible news and equal access to information for all.
Continue readingRead the full response to the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s (EHRC) Code of Practice
Continue readingA new app from the Scottish Association for Supported Employment (SUSE) for helping people stay well in work
Continue readingFree self management and wellbeing resource for everyone helping young people with their wellbeing.
Continue readingThe date for this year's DiGiTal Get Together has been announced
Continue readingWe have published our conference report from our annual conference Hope to Action as we look to the future and the work still to be done.
Continue readingNew guidance supports Audiology services to design and develop clinical peer review schemes to support quality assurance.
Continue readingRegister for this paid Advisory Panel opportunity
Continue readingTake a short survey to share your experiences
Continue readingLearn about this new way NDCS are supporting families.
Continue readingBooking is now open for Peer Connect events across 2026/27.
Continue reading