Making Rights Real
Realising a good life for people with psychosocial disability.
A co-design project with people living with mental health challenges which aims to ensure human rights are truly respected – in policies, in services and in community life.
We’re guided by the UN CRPD (United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities), an important international agreement about human rights for people with disability.
Ultimately, this project recognises that human rights are not given, they are realised when barriers are removed.
“The role of government is to let people live their own good life to the greatest extent possible.
A good life for people will look different, and our system should be equipped to help people author and arrive at that vision.” – Simon Katterl
Why Changed is Needed
Even with mental health laws in place, people with psychosocial disability often experience their human rights being overlooked or violated. This creates unfair situations and experiences that prevent them from living a full and meaningful life.
The Solution – Working Together to Co-Create a Way Forward
The ‘Making Rights Real’ project brings together people with their own experiences of mental health challenges. Together, we’re collaborating to identify solutions and develop practices that ensure human rights are upheld in everyday life.
Our Collective Goals
Empower people living with mental health challenges
Strengthen consumers understanding of the UN CRPD for advocacy.
Building a network of support
Equiping families, carers, service providers and community with an understanding of their roles in upholding these rights.
Exploring ways forward through storytelling
Share stories, highlight systemic barriers and opportunities.
Centre a Good Life Vision
Promote a good life vision grounded in autonomy, inclusion, participation, and dignity.
Inform domestic laws
Inform future policy and systemic reform.
Continuing Conversations
Develop reccomendations for new initiatives that keep thse important conversations going.
Who are we
The Alliance &CMHA
This project is a collaborative effort led by the National Mental Health Consumer Alliance (the Alliance). The Alliance is an organisation led by people with lived experience of mental health challenges, working for and with mental health consumers. They are collaborating closely with Community of Mental Health Australia (CMHA) to deliver this project and share their findings widely.
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