The rights of people with psychosocial disabilities at times of global crisis in Italy

During global crises, such as the ongoing pandemic, wars, and climate disasters, the rights of people with psychosocial disabilities are often neglected, despite these individuals being disproportionately affected. Mortality rates for those with severe psychiatric conditions were twice as high during the pandemic compared to the general population, and those in conflict or disaster zones face greater challenges in accessing basic resources. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) offers legal protection, yet violations and stigma remain widespread.

This paper discusses the WHO QualityRights initiative, which provides a framework for promoting the rights of people with psychosocial disabilities through community inclusion, autonomy, and the reform of mental health services. International projects in Lebanon, Armenia, Ghana, and Tunisia have employed the QualityRights Toolkit and e-learning course to enhance service quality and human rights. In Italy, the adoption of this approach has led to improved care and rights conditions in psychiatric services, despite ongoing challenges such as funding cuts.

The paper highlights the critical need for reforms to mental health policies and increased resources to maintain and strengthen community-based care models. It calls for a renewed commitment to the principles of the CRPD, emphasizing social inclusion, recovery, and user empowerment, as well as raising awareness among decision-makers to ensure lasting progress in protecting the rights of persons with psychosocial disabilities.