Mental health and barriers to the achievement of the 'right to health'

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doi:10.1071/PY10063

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Mental health and barriers to the achievement of the ‘right to health’

Julie Henderson ^A ^C and Samantha Battams ^B

^A School of Nursing and Midwifery, Flinders University, Flinders Drive, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia.
^B Southgate Institute of Health, Society and Equity, Flinders Promotion, Prevention and Primary Health Care, Level 3, Health Sciences Building, Flinders University, Flinders Drive, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia.
^C Corresponding author. Email: julie.henderson@flinders.edu.au

Australian Journal of Primary Health 17(3) 220-226 http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/PY10063
Submitted: 6 September 2010 Accepted: 24 February 2011 Published: 5 September 2011





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Abstract

This paper explores issues relating to access to physical and mental health care for people with mental health problems in light of Australia’s endorsement in 2008 of the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which established the right to health and to health care. Interviews were conducted with 10 key stakeholders with legal, policy, clinical and advocacy roles within South Australia and at a national and international level. Participants identified several barriers to the achievement of the right to health for people with mental illness, with discussion highlighting the legal definition of rights, governance of health and mental health, and structural barriers to receipt of care as the primary barriers. The data are explored in relation to social models of disability.

Additional keywords: access, Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, human rights, physical health.

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