Mental Health and Human Rights

Mental Health and Human Rights

Emma Mariani, Sr. High Staff Writer

Have you ever wondered what people all around the world are being affected by their human rights?  Around the world shackling people with mental health illnesses is something that is taking place in the world.  Shackling is a practice that is used by families who lock up loved ones that suffer with mental health issues because they believe that mental health conditions are the results of evil spirits or having sinned.  Shackling people with mental health illnesses is when people are being confined to a small area and being chained and locked up.  It happens in households, state run or private institutions, and traditional/religious healing centers because mental health institutions are overcrowded and not able to take in anyone.  A study found evidence that 110 countries across the world in Asia, Africa, Europe, Middle East, and the Americas show evidence of shackling people with mental health illnesses, but mostly takes place in parts of Africa.  Shackling impacts mental and physical health like malnutrition, infections, nerve damage, muscular atrophy, and cardiovascular problems.  Students can help others and support others that struggle with mental health illnesses by listening to what they have to say and tell them and tell them how you support them and be honest about them.  Shackling people with mental health illnesses is something that takes place around the world that many may not know that is going on.