Are we doing enough? Stigma, discrimination and human rights violations of people living with schizophrenia in India: Implications for social work practice

ABSTRACT

In India, the human rights of people living with mental illness (PLMI) are poorly articulated and hence less researched. Using in-depth and focus group interviews, this study explores multiple perspectives on stigma, discrimination, and human rights violations of people living with schizophrenia (PLS) within their web of relationships in the city of Mumbai, India. Thematic analysis shows that abusive experiences at home, stigma associated with mental health services and barriers to meaningful employment contribute to human rights violations. Implications for strengthening the role of mental health professionals including social workers to promote, protect and actualize the rights of PLS are stressed.

KEYWORDS:

• Stigma
• discrimination
• human rights
• mental illness
• schizophrenia
• violation
• social work