Proper mental health care is a basic right

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL’S recent report, Mental Illness — the Neglected Quarter, has highlighted serious shortcomings and inequalities in Ireland’s mental health services, revealing a failure to meet even basic international standards.

14 years ago, Ireland ratified the UN Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. It firmly bound itself to respect article 12, which provides "the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of mental health". Amnesty's report indicates this right has been consistently ignored by successive governments.

As an Amnesty member, I echo its insistence that a major overhaul of Ireland's mental health system is urgently required. This must involve the full participation of people with mental illness and their families