A Watford man has launched a campaign to have “sound mental health” recognised as a basic human right.
Mohammed Sbahuddin Rafiuddin, 32, a trainee human rights lawyer and mental health campaigner, is using his own struggles to highlight the need for more mental health recognition.
He wants to use his law skills to inspire global change so every person has the right to be protected from mental health harm, and have the ability to access affordable and quality care.
He has worked alongside the NHS as an Expert by Experience, and Hertfordshire County Council as a Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Ambassador.
He hopes to influence MPs with his work as well as having shared it with Peter Taylor, Mayor of Watford.
His mission has come after his decade-long struggle with mental illness.
The 32-year-old said: “My own experience has left me stronger and I’m determined to fight for a future where society is free from the confines of judgment and stigma associated with mental illness.
“I want every human - regardless of their background – to have the opportunity to lead a mentally healthy and fulfilling life and feel good about doing so.”
He has struggled with severe anxiety and depression, which led to psychosis and left him bedbound due to the severity of his condition.
He has since spent his 30th birthday in a mental health ward, taking four prescribed medications to help him stay alive.
He added: “I battled for a diagnosis and saw seven different therapists.
“While a lot has changed in the past decade, we’re still struggling to treat our mental health the same as other physical conditions, and the lack of funding for mental health research and mental health services is a huge part of that.”
A large part of Mohammed’s mission is to raise awareness and education in Asian, African and ethnic minority communities, where there is still a large stigma around mental wellbeing.
Mohammed said: “Within the Asian community, mental illness is not spoken about.
“When I was first suffering with my illnesses, I didn't know a single person in my community who would publicly speak about mental health, and that hasn’t really changed a great deal.”
He is currently training as a human rights lawyer and is determined to help others to challenge the stigma of mental health and get the help that they need and deserve.
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