Legal protection of the right to work and employment for persons with mental health problems: a review of legislation across the world

The right to work and employment is indispensable for social integration of persons with mental health problems. This study examined whether existing laws pose structural barriers in the realization of right to work and employment of persons with mental health problems across the world. It reviewed disability-specific, human rights legislation, and labour laws of all UN Member States in the context of Article 27 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). It wes found that laws in 62% of countries explicitly mention mental disability/impairment/illness in the definition of disability. In 64% of countries, laws prohibit discrimination against persons with mental health during recruitment; in one-third of countries laws prohibit discontinuation of employment. More than half (56%) the countries have laws in place which offer access to reasonable accommodation in the workplace. In 59% of countries laws promote employment of persons with mental health problems through different affirmative actions. Nearly 50 years after the adoption of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights and 10 years after the adoption of CRPD by the UN General Assembly, legal discrimination against persons with mental health problems continues to exist globally. Countries and policy-makers need to implement legislative measures to ensure non-discrimination of persons with mental health problems during employment

IRP commission: sexual minorities and mental health: global perspectives

Sexual orientation is a key determinant of the identity of human beings. It has also been seen as a social determinant of health. People whose sexual orientation is non-heterosexual or sexual minorities or sexually diverse are included in the broad umbrella term LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) which is a commonly used acronym in activism, social policy, and subsequently cultural literature. For this reason, this Commission focuses primarily on sexual orientation i.e. lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) groups. We have used terms non-heterosexual, sexual minorities or sexual variation interchangeably. We have not considered asexual individuals as research in the field is too limited. We are cognisant of the fact that topics relating to mental health and sexual orientation discussed in this Commission will intersect with other issues of personal, cultural and social identity, and will thus be relevant to individuals including many transgender individuals. The inclusion of mental health issues relevant to gender-diverse individuals as well as gender identity is important and deserves its own separate detailed discussion. The exact number of sexually diverse individuals in a population is often difficult to estimate but is likely to be somewhere around 5% of the population. Rates of various psychiatry disorders and suicidal ideation and acts of suicide in LGB populations are higher than general population and these have been attributed to minority stress hypothesis. Elimination of inequality in law can lead to reduction in psychiatric morbidity in these groups. However, these are all diverse groups but even within each group there is diversity and each individual has a distinct and unique experiences, upbringing, responses to their own sexual orientation, and generating varying responses from families, peers and friends as well as communities (including healthcare professionals). The mental healthcare needs of sexual minority individuals vary and these variations must be taken into account in design, development and delivery of healthcare and policies. Improving access to services will help engagement and outcomes and also reduce stigma. The commission recommends that there is no role for so-called conversion therapies and other recommendations are made for clinicians, researchers and policymakers

Management of Traumatic Dacryocystitis and Failed Dacryocystorhinostomy Using Silicone Lacrimal Intubation Set

The aim of this work is to study the management and success rate of traumatic dacryocystitis and failed dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) using Silicone lacrimal intubation set. A prospective study was conducted at a tertiary eye care hospital, India from February 2006 to January 2008. This study material comprised 50 patients of traumatic dacryocystitis and failed dacryocystorhinostomy. Anterior single flap external dacryocystorhinostomy with Silicon intubation was performed in all the patients. The patients were followed up at weekly intervals for 1 month and thereafter every 2 months for 1 year post operatively. Criteria determining success were based on resolution of epiphora and patency on syringing. In traumatic dacryocystitis, 21(91.3%) cases fulfilled these criteria while 23(85.2%) cases of failed DCR were successful. The overall success rate (88%) was determined with an average follow-up of 1 year. Globally, the technique was effective in 85% of cases. The results were comparable with other similar studies. This study concludes that performing a DCR in traumatic dacryocystitis and failed DCR taking into consideration the complications and chances of failure is a challenge for the surgeon. We opine that External dacryocystorhinostomy with Silicon Intubation is one of the most effective modality in dealing with such cases