Persons living with mental disorders are on the lowest rung in society; disregarded as unwanted members of society.
But while it may be this way- people with mental disorders are just as entitled to the basic human rights and fundamental freedoms as everyone else. This is what PAHO, the mental health association and the ministry of health's mental health program is trying to bring home to everyone and the beginning is with our laws.
Alfonso Noble Reporting,
The two-day workshop has the participation of magistrates, policemen and social workers. Organizers hope that their collective wisdom can modernize and standardize laws that deal with persons who have mental disorders. PAHO's facilitator Javier Vasquez says that as they stand now Belize laws are archaic.
Javier Vasquez, PAHO
"Belize still has to include many of the human right standards including those of the UN and incorporate these. Also I think it would be important for the mental health policies in Belize needs to include these standards and these human rights."
"These acts have not incorporated all the current international standards on mental health and human rights and it should be reviewed accordingly in order to grant effective protection to persons with mental disorders."
That revision will focus primarily on the way patients with mental disorders are treated especially when they are extracted from society and placed in psychiatric hospitals.
Javier Vasquez, PAHO
"One of the most important areas is the due process and the review of the detention of these persons in psychiatric institutions. As you know these persons can be detained in psychiatric institutions for 5, 10, 15 years without freedom and able to exercise civil and political rights and there is not a review of these detentions."
"Another issue is the living conditions in these institutions. Mental health acts should refer to living conditions in the institutions and also mental health policies and legislation should include the establishment of community based services."
But for that to happen these participants will have to come up with the framework that will ensure that persons with mental disorders have their human rights and fundamental freedoms respected as much as any other member of society.
The workshop will end tomorrow.