Stigma, Discrimination, and Human Rights Violations of People Living with Mental Illness in India

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of mental illness, discrimination, and human rights violation as experienced by people living with mental illness in India. Beginning with international definitions of stigma, discrimination, and human rights the chapter traces the sociocultural meanings of mental illness, its causes, and the impact such social constructs have on health seeking behavior among people with lived experiences in India. It describes the unique role played by families as caregivers and perpetrators of violence and abuse of people with mental illness while also being at the receiving end of stigma by association. The chapter further explains constraints that impinge on treating mental illness in India including lack of mental health education, barriers to treatment, and lack of mental health resources and infrastructure. The chapter also identifies intersectionalities of mental illness with gender, social caste and class, and the urban/rural divide that deepens the experiences of mental illness stigma. Finally, the Mental Health Care Act 2017 that aims to align India’s mental health policy with the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of person with Disability 2006 will be reviewed. Implications of the Act on stigma and recommendations for addressing the vicious cycle of stigma, discrimination, and human rights violation are discussed.