This right does not just mean there should be good mental health services, it means the Irish Government is required to ensure that other conditions which promote good health, like access to housing, social security, employment and education (known as the underlying detriments of health), are taking into account the needs of people with mental health problems in their policies. Unfortunately this is not currently happening.
To improve this situation Amnesty are holding a Participatory Hearing event on Tuesday 31 May, where people with direct experience of mental health problems will describe their experience in respect to these four underlying determinants to health to an expert ‘listening panel’.
The panellists will then make conclusions and observations about what human rights issues are relevant including in particular, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The panellists will also offer recommendations on what obligations the Irish Government has in these areas, and what it should be doing to progressively realise these rights. Officials from the key Government departments will be attending the event so the recommendations will have real impact.
The audience will also include a large number of people with self experience. Amnesty are keen to ensure that the audience are engaged in the process and are able to take away from the event a sense of what their rights are and what Government is doing to realise them.
Would you be interested in speaking at the 'Hearing' about experiencing difficulties in accessing one of four areas because of a mental health problem; employment, education, social welfare and housing. If you are interested please contact Martha 01 496558.
www.amnesty.ie/our-work/mental-health
