Mental health
People with disabilities experience mental health conditions at a significantly higher rate than people without disabilities, often exacerbated by factors such as social exclusion, discrimination, and inaccessible support services. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) recognises the right of people with disabilities to access the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health (Article 25). The CRPD emphasises the need for inclusive and accessible mental health facilities and services. The CRPD also recognises the right to personal security and freedom from inhumane treatment (Articles 14 and 15). However, this is often breached in relation to people with mental health conditions and psychosocial disabilities, particularly regarding decision-making and legal capacity.
Many people with mental health conditions and psychosocial disabilities experience violations to their accessing their rights. Addressing the mental health needs of people with disabilities requires a holistic approach that tackles systemic barriers, promotes inclusion, and empowers individuals to exercise their right to live fulfilling lives.
Resources in this section provide evidence, guidance, and examples on progressing mental health policies and programs in development contexts.
CBM Global Disability Inclusion (2021) Community Mental Health Good Practice Guide: Community Mental Health Forums
This good practice guide draws on CBM’s experience with CMHFs to document and share ideas, good practice and lessons learned about CMHFs in low and middle income countries.
CBM Global Disability Inclusion (2021) Community Mental Health Good Practice Guide: Mental Health System Strengthening
This good practice guide draws on CBM’s experience in mental health systems and service strengthening to demonstrate how mental health services can be improved.
CBM Global Disability Inclusion (2021) Community Mental Health Good Practice Guide: Peer Support
This good practice guide draws on CBM’s experiences supporting peer-to-peer programs in developing countries, featuring practical examples of the different ways that peer support can be delivered.
CBM (2020) Mental Health and Health Crises: what the Ebola epidemic can teach us about mental health during pandemics?
By drawing on the lessons learned from the recent Ebola crisis in West Africa in 2013-2016, this brief outlines some of the challenges people living with mental illness face during epidemics.
Kleintjes A, Lund C and Swartz L (2013) Barriers to the participation of people with psychosocial disability in mental health policy development in South Africa: A qualitative study of perspectives of policy makers, professionals, religious leaders and academics
This research article examines the barriers to participation of persons with psychosocial disabilities in mental health policy development in South Africa.
WHO (2012) The WHO mental health policy and service guidance package
This package of resources contains 14 modules addressing policy, planning and service development.
Centre for Human Rights of Users and Survivors of Psychiatry
The CHRUSP website contains resources that provide development practitioners with useful information regarding the implementation of the UNCRPD.
WHO (2013) Investing in mental health: Evidence for action
This report provides an overview of some of the social and cultural factors contributing to the neglect of mental health within health systems.
Humanity & Inclusion Source: Key list resources on mental health
The list of documents contains helpful information for those who wish to better understand mental health and psychosocial disability.
Davar B (2012) Legal frameworks for and against people with psychosocial disability
This article provides an analysis of legal frameworks affecting persons with psychosocial disabilities in India.
Overseas Development Institute (2013) Background note on old age, disability and mental health: data issues for a post-2015 framework
This background note provides rationale for the collection of disaggregated data on disability and provides a brief overview of gaps and opportunities in the measurement of excluded groups.
UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health (2017) Report of the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest standard of physical and mental health
This report provides an excellent contextual overview, conclusions and recommendations relevant to promoting mental health consistently with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
IASC (2017), Common Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Programmes in Emergency Settings
This document provides guidance in the assessment, research, design, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) programmes in emergency settings.
CBM Global Inclusion Advisory Group (2022) People with Psychosocial Disabilities in Disaster Events
People with psychosocial disabilities are among those at the highest risk during and after disaster events.
CBM Global (2023) Strengthening the voice of Organizations of Persons with Psychosocial Disabilities
This resource seeks to document and share CBM Global's learnings about OPD strengthening for people with psychosocial disabilities and mental health conditions.
