The intricate interplay between human rights and mental health is pivotal for our collective well-being. Human rights, whether explicitly or implicitly enshrined in international human rights legislation, serve as the foundation for dignity, equality, and justice for every individual. Simultaneously, mental health is crucial for holistic well-being and influences one’s ability to fully enjoy and exercise their rights. However, despite their inherent connection, the intersection between human rights and mental health is often misunderstood or entirely unrecognised. This oversight demands attention, as the cyclical relationship between the two is of paramount importance.
Human rights violations do not only undermine an individual’s inherent dignity, but can also have devastating effects on their mental health. For instance, individuals subjected to discrimination, abuse, or violence may experience severe psychological distress, trauma, intense anger and even develop mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These psychological impacts can influence behaviour, potentially increasing the likelihood of engaging in unlawful activities. For example, trauma may lead to maladaptive coping mechanisms or impaired decision-making abilities, rendering individuals more susceptible to engaging in criminal behaviour.
Moreover, those who have experienced human rights violations may develop a profound distrust of governmental and legal institutions. This lack of trust can stem from experiences of betrayal by society or failure to receive justice. As a result, they may perceive the legal system as unjust or ineffective, which could further lead them to disregard laws or resort to illegal activities as a form of protest or rebellion against perceived injustice.
Conversely, poor mental health can impede an individual’s ability to exercise their human rights. Mental health conditions can impair cognitive functioning, decision-making abilities, and social interactions, hindering individuals from fully participating in society, making them vulnerable and excluded. Stigma and discrimination against those with mental health conditions further exacerbate this marginalisation, which puts them at greater risk of their right to equality being violated.
Across various marginalised groups, such as minorities, women, children, refugees, LGBTQI+ individuals, persons with disabilities, etc., the intersection of human rights and mental health is evident. Cases like Sandra Bland’s tragic encounter with law enforcement, Malala Yousafzai’s resilience after surviving an assassination attempt, Ishmael Beah’s trauma as a former child soldier, Nadia Murad’s advocacy for survivors of conflict-related trauma, Leelah Alcorn’s
In the case of Sandra Bland, an African American woman, her encounter with law enforcement in Waller County, Texas, led to tragic consequences highlighting the intersection of mental health issues and systemic racism. Bland was pulled over for a minor traffic violation and arrested following a confrontation with the officer. She was found dead in her jail cell three days later, officially ruled as suicide. Bland had a history of mental health struggles, including depression, which were exacerbated by the traumatic experience of her arrest and incarceration.
Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani activist, survived an assassination attempt by the Taliban in 2012 for advocating girls’ education, enduring physical injuries and profound trauma. Despite facing fear, anxiety, and PTSD, Malala’s resilience shines through as she continues her advocacy work, inspiring millions with her unwavering commitment to education and courage in the face of adversity.
Ishmael Beah, a former child soldier from Sierra Leone, endured unspeakable violence and trauma during the country’s civil war, including witnessing the deaths of family members and being forced to participate in atrocities. As a result, he grappled with severe psychological distress, including nightmares, flashbacks, and feelings of guilt and shame, which persisted long after the war ended.
Nadia Murad, a Yazidi woman from Iraq, endured profound mental harm, including trauma, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), after being kidnapped and enslaved by ISIS militants. After escaping captivity, she became a vocal advocate for survivors of genocide and sexual violence, raising awareness about the mental health toll of conflict.
Leelah Alcorn, a transgender woman, took her own life after facing rejection and conversion therapy from her family, highlighting the mental health struggles faced by transgender individuals due to discrimination and lack of acceptance.
struggles as a transgender person, and many others illustrate the profound impact of systemic injustice on mental health.
Addressing this issue is crucial for promoting individual well-being and societal justice. Recognising the intersectionality of human rights and mental health, and providing comprehensive support and intervention, is essential for breaking the cycle of suffering and advancing collective well-being.
Human rights instruments, including treaties, conventions, declarations, and other international agreements, play a crucial role in protecting mental health on a global scale. These instruments often explicitly recognise the right to mental health as an integral component of the broader right to health, emphasising the importance of mental well-being for individuals to lead fulfilling lives. For instance, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) affirms the right to health, which encompasses both physical and mental health, as fundamental to human dignity. Similarly, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) recognises the right of persons with disabilities to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health, including mental health, on an equal basis with others. Moreover, human rights instruments address various other issues that influence mental health, such as the right to education, freedom from torture, non-discrimination, employment, housing, and social protection, which are essential for promoting mental well-being and preventing discrimination and social exclusion. By codifying these rights into international law and establishing mechanisms for accountability and enforcement, human rights instruments provide a framework for governments and other stakeholders to uphold and protect mental health as a fundamental human right.
In summary, the intricate relationship between human rights and mental health underscores the imperative of addressing both issues concurrently to foster individual well-being and societal equity. Human rights violations deeply affect mental health, while poor mental health can impede the full exercise of human rights, perpetuating marginalisation and exclusion. Through diverse narratives from marginalised communities, it becomes evident that systemic injustices exacerbate mental health disparities, necessitating comprehensive support and intervention. Prioritising both human rights and mental health is paramount for building a more just, inclusive, and empathetic society.
IMAGE SOURCES
[1] Malala Yousafzai. © University of King’s College, 2014, via Flickr, at https://www.flickr.com/photos/ukings/13982878139 .
[2] Pääministeri Marin ja rauhannobelisti Nadia Murad tapasivat Kesärannassa. © Laura Kotila, November 22nd, 2021, via Flickr at https://www.flickr.com/photos/finnishgovernment/51698020989/in/photostream/.
REFERENCES AND FURTHER READINGS:
“A long way gone.” Ishmael Beah. http://bisteachers.cratercomets.com/sinks_jeremy/literature/a_long_way_gone/aLongWayGoneMemoirsBoySoldier.pdf. Accessed March 18th, 2024.
“An Ohio transgender teen’s suicide, a mother’s anguish”. Ashley Fantz. https://edition.cnn.com/2014/12/31/us/ohio-transgender-teen-suicide/index.html. Accessed on March 18th, 2024.
“International Legal Protection of Human Rights in Armed Conflict.” OHCHR. https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/Documents/Publications/HR_in_armed_conflict pdf. Accessed March 18th, 2024.
“Malala’s Story.” Malala Fund. https://www.malala.org/malalas-story. Accessed March 18th, 2024.
“Malala Yousafzai.” Nobel Prize, Facts. https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/2014/yousafzai/facts/. Accessed March 18th, 2024.
“Mental Health and Human Rights.” OHCHR. https://www.ohchr.org/en/health/mental-health-and-human-rights. Accessed March 18th, 2024.
“Mental Health, Human Rights and Legislation.” United Nations. https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/publications/WHO-OHCHR-Mental-health-human-rights-and-legislation_web.pdf. Accessed March 18th, 2024.
“Nadia Murad.” Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Nadia-Murad. Accessed March 18th, 2024.
“Nadia’s Story.” Nadia’s Initiative. https://www.nadiasinitiative.org/. Accessed March 18th, 2024.
“Sierra Leone: ‘They are forgetting about us’: The Long-term mental health impact of war and Ebola in Sierra Leone” Amnesty International. https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/afr51/4095/2021/en/. Accessed March 18th, 2024.
“The Death of Sandra Bland: Is There Anything Left to Investigate?”. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/08/us/sandra-bland-texas-death.html. Accessed March 18th, 2024.
“The Lucifer Effect. Understanding How Good People Turn Evil by Philip Zimbardo.” Salamucha, Agnieszka. In Forum Philosophicum, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 166-168. 2009.
