Hosted by the O’Neill Institute and Disability Rights International: A Discussion at the Launch of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health’s Report on Mental Health
The UN Special Rapporteur on the right to health, Dainius Puras, has recently released a report proposing a shift in paradigm for addressing mental health, moving from a biomedical approach to a focus on the preconditions of poor mental health, psychosocial interventions, empowering users of mental health services, and redressing power asymmetries, including an end to coercive practices.
The Special Rapporteur, himself a psychiatrist in his native Lithuania, presented his report, which was followed by a panel discussion on a rights-based approach to mental health.
Panelists included:
- Eric Rosenthal, Executive Director, Disability Rights International
- Ira Burnim, Legal Director, Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
- Sofia Galvan, Human Rights Specialist, Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
Moderated by Professor Lawrence Gostin, Faculty Director of the O’Neill Institute.