Originally published in Business Day by John Minto & Jennifer Douglas-Abubakar
For most reasonable people, the right of anyone suffering from an illness to be treated in a clinically appropriate and respectful manner is so obviously true and morally correct that it is baffling to think that the position has to be defended for any medical condition. However, in the case of those suffering from mental illness, there is little doubt that few are able to access their right to appropriate care. The commemoration of World Mental Health Day on October 10 offers us an appropriate moment to reflect and ask, 'why?'