The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) of which India is a ratified member, will come into force in many countries in the coming months. As part of the UNCRPD, one of the aims is to protect and promote the rights of people with disabilities in all policies and programmes and to adopt legislative practices that are non-discriminatory.With the increasing number of countries undertaking reform of their mental health services and mental health laws, calls for a need to build on technical assistance and training in the field of mental health policy and legislation. The Centre views mental health legislation as a tool to achieve the goals of a mental health policy.
The centre will design and conduct long term (diploma and masters courses) as well as short term courses (certificate courses) for the target audience at National and International level. The International Diploma in Mental Health Law and Human Rights will be the flagship course of the Centre. The Centre will also develop and deliver short term courses for the target audience – for example, short term courses for the judiciary, police officers, and bureaucrats, international agencies, and Governmental and Non-Governmental Organisations.