Health care, inclusive of mental health care, is a human right.

Health care, inclusive of mental health care, is a human right.

That’s what APA’s Board of Trustees declared in a position statement approved at last month’s meeting in Arlington, Va. The position statement, sponsored by the Washington Psychiatric Society and approved as an action paper by the Assembly last May, notes that the health of “individuals and populations is an essential asset for robust economies and democracies” and is “essential to a nation’s security and prosperity

Echoing the report of the work group, Binder noted that only in correctional facilities within the United State is health care recognized as a right. “Health care is a human right and should be identified as such,” she said. “This is the right position for APA to take. We should help move the country toward seeing health care and mental health care as basic human rights.” (Psychiatric News)