WHO Resource Book on Mental Health, Human Rights and Legislation

This World Health Organization (WHO) publication provides an international survey of mental health legislation in the context of internationally recognised human rights. It offers both a theoretical context and practical case studies from countries around the world, including examples from nations with widely varied needs and economic resources. The book is primarily aimed at those involved in formulation of mental health legislation, and includes a checklist which "countries can use to review the comprehensiveness and adequacy of existing mental health legislation and to help them in the process of drafting a new law". 

The material in this book is divided into three chapters that address the context, content and process of mental health legislation:

1. Context of Mental Health Legislation
2. Content of Mental Health Legislation
3. Process: Drafting, Adopting and Implementing Mental Health Legislation

This book is a partner publication the WHO Mental Health Policy and Service Guidance Package, which is also available from the WHO Publications office. 

Click here to order a copy of the Resource Book.