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International Diploma in Mental Health Law and Human Rights
By Andrea Shettle, MSW | September 7, 2008
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently announced the first ever one-year International Diploma in Mental Health Law and Human Rights. The new academic program will launch in October 2008 in Pune, India, and is the result of a collaborative effort between the Indian Law Society Law College and WHO Mental Health Improvements for Nations Development (MIND). Based on WHO materials and tools, the program is meant to enhance student understanding of international human rights standards and mechanisms to protect the rights of people with mental disabilities and provide them with the skills to apply this knowledge in their own national contexts.
This program is particularly relevant in light of the new international disability rights treaty–the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)–that entered into force on May 3, 2008.
To be eligible for the new International Diploma in Mental Health Law and Human Rights, students should have a degree from any recognized university in any of the following subjects: law, medicine, psychiatry, nursing, psychology, social work, other social sciences, or other natural sciences.
Alternately, people who use mental health services, and caretakers, are also encouraged to pursue the diploma program so they can become effective advocates for change. These candidates can be eligible with graduate qualification in any discipline from a recognized university.
It’s too late to apply for the first course starting in October 2008. However, another course will be offered in the year 2009. People should monitor the website for the International Diploma in Mental Health Law and Human Rights directly for updates, deadlines, and other details relating to subsequent courses.
Students may apply on line. Tuition for international students will be $7000 in US dollars. Prospective students should follow the link to the website for the diploma program for information on the availability of scholarship options. As of August 2008, their website indicates that limited scholarships are available primarily for people in India.
Learn more about the program via their web site at:
http://www.mentalhealthlaw.in/index.html
A slightly different version of this blog post was originally posted at the We Can Do blog; it is cross-posted here with permission of author.
Topics: Announcements, Disability Rights -- General, Teaching Tool |
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