People with mental health problems have the same rights as everyone else, but these rights are often violated because they have a disorder. Ensuring they can exercise their rights on equal terms with the rest of the population, without any kind of discrimination, is everyone's responsibility.

The International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities The New York Convention , adopted by the United Nations in 2006, establishes the foundation for the inclusion and full citizenship of persons with disabilities, including persons with mental health conditions. The purpose of the Convention is to ensure that these individuals enjoy all human rights and freedoms, are respected as all other persons are respected, and participate fully in society.

Throughout its fifty articles, the New York Convention sets out the following rights for people with mental health problems:

• Equality and non-discrimination.
• Equal recognition before the law and access to justice.
• Freedom of expression and opinion and access to information.
• Independent living, community inclusion, work and employment.
• Freedom of choice.
• Confidentiality and privacy.
• Protection against torture and other cruel treatment.

Other rights also included in the New York Convention are the right to life, education, health, habilitation and rehabilitation, an adequate standard of living and social protection, participation in politics and public life, and participation in culture, leisure and sport.