A/HRC/RES/36/13
Reaffirming that the right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of
physical and mental health is an inclusive right, and reaffirming also the need to address
issues related to health care and to the underlying determinants of health in this context,
Recalling that, according to the Constitution of the World Health Organization,
health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the
absence of disease or infirmity,
Concerned that there is a continuing lack of parity between physical and mental
health reflected in the marginalization of mental health within health policies and budgets
or in medical education, research and practice, and stressing the importance of investing
more on mental health promotion through a multisectoral approach that is based on respect
for human rights and that also addresses the underlying social, economic and environmental
determinants of mental health,
Underscoring that States should ensure that persons with mental health conditions or
psychosocial disabilities, in particular persons using mental health services, have access to
a range of support services that are based on respect for human rights in order to live
independently, be included in the community, exercise their autonomy and agency,
participate meaningfully in and decide upon all matters affecting them and have their
dignity respected, on an equal basis with others,
Reaffirming the right of refugees and migrants to the enjoyment of the highest
attainable standard of physical and mental health, and underscoring the vulnerable
situations that can have a negative impact on the mental health of persons on the move,
Recognizing that women and girls with mental health conditions or psychosocial
disabilities at all ages, in particular those using mental health services, face an increased
vulnerability to violence, abuse, discrimination and negative stereotyping, and underscoring
the need to take all appropriate measures to ensure access to mental health and community
services that are gender-sensitive,
Acknowledging that the multiple or aggravated forms of discrimination, stigma,
violence and abuse often faced by people living with, presumed to be living with or
affected by HIV/AIDS and by members of key populations have negative consequences on
their enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of mental health,
Convinced that the Human Rights Council, in fulfilling its responsibility for
promoting universal respect for the protection of all human rights and fundamental
freedoms for all, without distinction of any kind and in a fair and equal manner, has an
important role to play in the area of mental health and human rights, to foster constructive
international dialogue and cooperation, and to promote human rights education and
learning, and also advisory services, technical assistance, capacity-building and awarenessraising,
Acknowledging the leadership of the World Health Organization in the field of
health and also the work that it has carried out to date to, inter alia, integrate a human rights
perspective into mental health, and recalling the commitment of States to achieve this
through the implementation of the Organization’s comprehensive mental health action plan
2013-2020,
1.
Takes note with appreciation of the report of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights on mental health and human rights;1
1
A/HRC/34/32.
3