The right to health, international human rights legislation and mental health policy and care practices for people with psychiatric disability

This article is based on research which examined the current and potential impact of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) on Australian and South Australian legislation and policy. A particular focus was on the 'right to health' for people with a psychiatric disability. Ten interviews were conducted with professionals from law, psychiatry, government and service user advocacy, working at state, national (Australian) and international levels. It addresses three key themes: the rights of people with psychiatric and other disabilities; perceptions of the rollout of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD); and the impact on current policy and practice of the 'right to health'.