Mental Health Legislation and Human Rights
Code
21200
Academic unit
NOVA Medical School | Faculdade de Ciências Médicas
Credits
6
Teacher in charge
Professor Doutor Miguel Xavier
Teaching language
English
Objectives
1. To acquire the basic information about international and regional human rights systems
2. To understand the process of creating or revising mental health law according to current standards and norms
3. To acquire basic skills regarding a critical appraisal of local mental health legislation.
Prerequisites
Subject matter
Forgotten people: Mental Health and Human Rights
Identifying "human wrongs"
International (UN) and Regional Human Rights Systems
Key rights of people with mental disabilities and international human rights provisions to protect them
Opportunities and challenges in using International and Regional Human Rights Mechanisms
UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)
Understanding the CRPD.
What should go into a mental health law
Analysing law with the WHO Mental Health Checklist
Bibliography
WHO link: http://www.who.int/mental_health/policy/legislation/en/index.html (including the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, a List of international human rights instruments relevant to the rights of people with mental disabilities, and a document on Promoting the rights of people with mental disabilities)
WHO (2003). Mental Health Policy and Service Guidance Package. Mental Health Legislation and Human Rights. Geneva, WHO. (outdated)
WHO (2005). WHO Resource Book on Mental Health, Human Rights and Legislation. Geneva, WHO. (outdated).
Teaching method
Lectures followed by discussion, group work, and e-learning.
Evaluation method
A written multiple-choice question test and one assignment, based on lectures and recommended readings.
Courses
