The PL0S Medicine series on Global Mental Health Practice presents a case study on the development of the new Ugandan national mental health policy. The policy purports to address factors that affect recovery such as stigma and poverty, and “analysis of the revised MNS draft policy by a group of stakeholders using the WHO checklist found the following strengths: (a) The values and associated principles in the policy promote human rights, social inclusion, evidence-based practice, inter-sectoral collaboration, and equity with physical health care… Upholds the rights of people with mental health problems… Advocates for consumers and for community participation and involvement in care.”
Ssebunnya J., Kigozi F., Ndyanabangi S. (2012) Developing a National Mental Health Policy: A Case Study from Uganda. PLoS Med 9(10): e1001319
Note from Kermit Cole, “In the News” editor:
The policy also presents evidence-based practice and access to “essential medications” as a strength. On balance this is an interesting document of the process of organizing mental health care on a national scale, that could be of interest to organizers on a statewide level.
“Upholds the rights of people with mental health problems… ”
So nobody in Uganda is being forcibly drugged and detained?
Once you’ve labeled somebody mentally ill you’ve already stolen their right to define their own personal problems as nothing “health” related at all.
Everyone gets thrown into this cult, it’s a shame to see Africa’s domino fall.
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