MHCA Submission on Australia’s Draft Initial Report under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2010

The MHCA strongly supports Australia ratifying the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. We are pleased that a number of articles explicitly refer to mental illness. However, there are areas that could be strengthened, particularly discrimination on the basis of disability. Freedom from cruel or inhuman treatment and protecting the integrity of the person are key mental health consumer issues and need greater attention within the mental health sector. Employment and housing support are essential areas of focus to ensure people with mental illness-related disability are encouraged to fully participate as members of their community.