World Mental Health Day 2023 is an opportunity for people and communities to unite in support of this themeMental health is a universal human right” Increase knowledge, raise awareness and drive action to promote and protect everyone’s mental health as a universal human right.
Mental health is a basic human right for all people. Everyone, no matter who they are or where they are, has the right to the highest attainable standard of mental health. This includes the right to be free from mental health risks, the right to available, accessible, acceptable and quality care, and the right to freedom, independence and inclusion in the community.
Good mental health is vital to our overall health and well-being. However, one in eight people globally suffer from a mental health problem, which can affect their physical health, well-being, connections with others and livelihoods. Mental health conditions also affect an increasing number of teenagers and young adults.
Living with a mental health condition should never be a reason to deny a person their human rights or exclude them from decisions about their own health. However, around the world, people with mental health problems continue to suffer widespread human rights abuses. Many people are excluded from community life and face discrimination, and many more are unable to access the mental health care they need, or receive care that violates their human rights.
WHO (World Health Organization) continues to work with its partners to ensure that mental health is valued, promoted and protected, and that urgent action is taken so that everyone can exercise their human rights and receive the quality mental health care they need. Join us for World Mental Health Day 2023 to learn more about your basic rights to mental health and how to protect the rights of others.
Source: World Health Organization
