"All persons with a mental illness, or who are being treated as such persons, shall be treated with humanity and respect for the inherent dignity of the human person...There shall be no discrimination on the grounds of mental illness..."

-UN Principles for the Protection of Persons with Mental??
? Illness, General Assembly resolution 46/119 of 17??
? December 1991

The misconceptions about mental illness and discrimination of people suffering from mental disorders can affect all aspects of their lives, denying them their civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. Misconception about mental illness and discrimination can also impact negatively on their access to care and integration into society. The fact that mental disorders can affect a person's ability to defend his or her own rights and interests further aggravate the situation.

Govt. of Tamil Nadu is committed to the development of mental health services and protection of human rights of mentally ill. Establishment of psychiatric clinics in all the district headquarters hospital and formation district mental health coordination committees are some steps taken to this commitment.

Advocacy and awareness are the important tools for ensuring the human rights of mentally ill. As part of its awareness activity the various declaration regarding human rights isues at made available in this website. Following are some of the declaration related to mental health:

1. Principles for the protection of persons with mental illness and the improvement of mental health care

2. Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons

3. Declaration on the Rights of Mentally Retarded Persons