title: People with mental illness and human rights: A developing countries perspective.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Human rights violations among the people with mental illness were not an uncommon occurrence. The present study was aimed to compare persons with psychiatric illness and their caregivers' perceptions regarding the human rights status of people with mental illness in the community.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive design was carried out among randomly selected asymptomatic psychiatric patients and their caregivers (N=200) at a tertiary care center. Data was collected through face-to-face interview, using a structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed and interpreted using descriptive and inferential statistics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our findings revealed that the caregivers than psychiatric patients perceived negatively to the statements i.e., 'Receiving equal information and encouragement about career opportunities' (χ(2)=10.779, P<0.029), 'Opposing discriminatory actions, slurs' (χ(2)=9.472, P<0.050) 'Resolving the conflicts with people with mental illness through nonviolent ways' (χ(2)=27.091, P<0.000), 'Responding to the complaints of harassment or discrimination against the people with mental illness' (χ(2)=18.697, P<0.001), 'Encouraged to continue their education' (χ(2)=13.029, P<0.023) 'Exploitation by the community members' (χ(2)=18.653, P<0.001) and working under fair conditions (χ(2)=13.470, P<0.009).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study suggests that there is an urgent need to take necessary steps to protect, promote, and fulfill human rights of people with mental illness through providing care, educating the community, and strengthening the legislations.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Vijayalakshmi
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Poreddi
authors.lastname: Ramachandra
authors.forename: Konduru
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Reddemma
authors.forename: Suresh Bada
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Math
keywords: Caregivers; community; human rights; human rights violations; mentally ill