This joint publication by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) aims to support countries embarking on legislative reform related to mental health. With a focus on the transformation of mental health systems and the promotion, protection and fulfilment of human rights, dignity, autonomy, and inclusion for all, it offers practical advice to align laws, policies and practices with international human rights obligations and the development of person-centred care and support, taking into account gender, age, cultural acceptability and other considerations that safeguard human rights. Developed through extensive research and consultations, its key chapters cover the need for reform, principles and provisions for legislation, and a rights-based process. A practical checklist assists in assessing and developing legislation, while ensuring flexibility for countries to tailor efforts to specific national and local contexts. This resource is intended for legislators, policymakers, health professionals, monitoring and evaluation authorities and advocacy groups, among others.

The Guidance seeks to encourage reforms that promote, protect, and uphold the rights of all people who interact with, or benefit from, mental health systems and services, no matter what the cause of their condition, their diagnosis or psychosocial disability, or how they may identify themselves. This includes persons who experience short-term distress or crisis, those with mental health conditions, psychosocial disabilities, intellectual disabilities, or neurological conditions, and persons who use drugs.