The Centre for Mental Health and Human Rights at the Institute of Mental Health has been designated as a new World Health Organization (WHO) collaborating centre on Mental Health, Disability and Human Rights.

Under the joint directorship of Professors Martin Orrell (Director, Institute of Mental Health) and Peter Bartlett (Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Professor of Mental Health Law), the designation began in April 2020 for a four-year term (which can be renewed). 

This collaborative partnership utilises the knowledge and expertise of the members of the Institute of Mental Health’s Centre for Mental Health and Human Rights to support the development and understanding of this area within the WHO’s policy, education, legal and advocacy programmes.

WHO collaborating centres are institutions such as research institutes, parts of universities or academies, which are designated by the WHO’s Director-General to carry out activities in support of the Organization's programmes. Currently there are over 800 WHO collaborating centres across the globe, working with WHO on areas such as nursing, occupational health, communicable diseases, nutrition, mental health, chronic diseases and health technologies. Collaborating centres represent a valuable resource as an extended and integral arm of WHO’s capacity to implement its mandated work.

The Mental Health, Disability and Human Rights collaborating centre will:

• Assist WHO in assessing the effectiveness and impact of WHO education programmes relating to mental health and human rights, in particular related to the WHO’s QualityRights training programmes.

• Assist the development, maintenance and promotion of WHO resources relating to mental health and human rights – most notably the WHO’s MiNDBank web resource of laws and official policies relating to all aspects of mental health and mental disability.

• Work with WHO in the development of best practice guidance related to topics in mental health and human rights – in particular services and supports that promote recovery and human rights for people with dementia in line with UN Convention for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

• Work under the guidance of WHO, provide advice on legal structures, mental health/disability law, human rights both generally and in the specific context of dementia and also to assist WHO with capacity building.

Michelle Funk, Unit Head for Policy, Law and Human Rights, Dept of Mental Health and Substance Use at the World Health Organization commented:

“We are excited to embark on this collaboration with the Institute of Mental Health.  The wealth of expertise and experience that they bring make them an ideal partner in promoting access to good quality care, services and supports respect for the rights of people with psychosocial, cognitive and intellectual disabilities in countries across the world.”

Professor Peter Bartlett said of the designation: 

“Recent events have highlighted the importance of WHO as the primary body for promotion of health internationally. The current global emergency highlights the importance of a voice for human rights and for people experiencing mental health problems. This has never been more important. We are proud to stand with the WHO in this mission.”

Professor Martin Orrell said:

“For several years the Institute of Mental Health’s Centre for Mental Health and Human Rights has been working with Dr Michelle Funk and Nathalie Drew Bold at the WHO on initiatives around mental health and human rights. It is a tremendous achievement to see our partnership endorsed with the designation of an official collaborating centre.

“Our work at the Institute of Mental Health has always been about the human rights of people with mental health difficulties. This designation also emphasises the importance of law and the social sciences in care and policy, and the impact of mental health issues in people’s daily lives.”