Eric Ip and Daisy Cheung
Global Mental Health, First View , pp. 1 - 5
Abstract: Human health, including mental health, hinges on
the integrity of the planetary biophysical environment and local
ecosystems. Legal principles relevant to planetary mental health are
currently scattered across the discrete bodies of human rights, health, and
climate law, each of which go some way in creating twofold state obligations to
take climate action for the purpose of attaining health and thereby mental
health, and address mental morbidities resulting from the climate crisis. We
argue that a ‘planetary mental health law’ already exists, albeit in
preliminary form, and in great need of being developed into a clearer and more
coherent regime. Prior to proposing fundamental changes to the international
system, it appears to us that soft law should be resorted to as a complement to
existing international obligations, whereas states should bolster their level
of national commitment to defend the right to mental health on a healthier
planet. Time is not on our side and the law must act now.
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