[DRAFT] "Mental Health Advancement Act"

[South Reinkalistan]

Desket: "Just wrote this up; share your thoughts, expose mistakes, et cetera."

DIRECTORATE OF WORLD ASSEMBLY AFFAIRS
SOUTH REINKALISTAN

"Mental Health Advancement Act"

Category: Social Justice | Strength: Mild | Proposed by: South Reinkalistan

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The World Assembly,

Acknowledging the abundance of sapient individuals that do suffer from conditions that, when left unrecognised, are the cause of significant mental detriment and frustration of economic and political participation;

Recognising that this unfortunate factor has served to debilitate the livelihoods of sapient individuals within many, if not all, World Assembly member states, and as such is an international issue worthy of attention from this most august Assembly;

Asserting that the personal issues that result from mental illnesses are severe enough to warrant action;

Understanding that this issue cannot be amended without acknowledging the contributing elements towards these conditions, and the resultant effects thereof;

Hereby:

1. Defines "Mental Illness" as a mental or behavioural condition that causes distress or is otherwise a source of considerable impairment to a sapient individual's well-being;
   
   
2. Mandates that all member states provide sufficient education and information programs in order to pronounce the scientifically acknowledged effects and causes of mental illnesses to the general populace;
   
   
3. Directs member states to adequately fund and provide healthcare provisions to support and treat individuals with mental illnesses; and
   
   
4. Prohibits any measures taken to discriminate against or otherwise disenfranchise those with mental illnesses as a result of misinformation.

[South Reinkalistan]

Reserved for drafts.

[Florarosia]

OOC: So far, I support this.

Asserts that the personal issues that result from mental illnesses are severe enough to warrant action;

What kind of mental illnesses would fall into such category? Mental disorders can include Anxiety disorders, Depression/bipolar disorders, eating disorders, personality disorders, schizophrenia, and even PTSD. Of those, what deserves treatment, and what is 'not severe enough to warrant action'?

[Kenmoria]

“I would prefer clause 4 to have ‘provide adequately-funded’, or similar wording, rather than simply ‘fund and provide’ in order to account for private services that may not require further funding.”

[Araraukar]

OOC: So far, I support this.

Asserts that the personal issues that result from mental illnesses are severe enough to warrant action;

What kind of mental illnesses would fall into such category? Mental disorders can include Anxiety disorders, Depression/bipolar disorders, eating disorders, personality disorders, schizophrenia, and even PTSD. Of those, what deserves treatment, and what is 'not severe enough to warrant action'?

OOC: All of those can be severe enough to warrant action, but the whole Asserts clause should be in the preamble, as it's an argument rather than a mandated action.

[Imperium Anglorum]

Statements, claims, and assertions generally belong in the preamble. I would also consult first Quality in Health Services for overlap.

[South Reinkalistan]

Asserts clause should be in the preamble, as it's an argument rather than a mandated action.

Ah yes, apologies for that. It's been fixed.

I would also consult first Quality in Health Services for overlap.

Having looked over GAR#97, I can't find anything that would seem to suggest I'm in overlap; apologies if I've missed something.

“I would prefer clause 4 to have ‘provide adequately-funded’, or similar wording, rather than simply ‘fund and provide’ in order to account for private services that may not require further funding.”

Desket: "This oversight has been addressed."

[Maowi]

Mandates that all member states provide sufficient education and information programs in order to pronounce the effects and causes of mental illnesses to the general populace;

"Although this should be fine, I'm not sure I entirely trust some of the WA's more ... backward members to take this as intended. You do have clause 4 working to prevent blatant attempts at misinformation but to actively ensure the correct information is being communicated I'd recommend prefixing "effects and causes" with "scientifically acknowledged" or some such phrase.

Prohibits any measures taken to discriminate against or otherwise disenfranchise those with mental illnesses as a result of misinformation.

"My only quibble here right now is the oddness of the phrasing; I'd replace "as a result of" with "via".

"I have been instructed to relay Maowi's support for this measure, at the very least in principle - something I am very happy to be able to pass on to you."

[Krishna Rashtra]

This act is quite incisive and well written. Support.

[American Pere Housh]

"The Galactic Theocratic Republic support this proposal as mental health is an issue of great importance to American Pere Housh."

[South Reinkalistan]

"Although this should be fine, I'm not sure I entirely trust some of the WA's more ... backward members to take this as intended. You do have clause 4 working to prevent blatant attempts at misinformation but to actively ensure the correct information is being communicated I'd recommend prefixing "effects and causes" with "scientifically acknowledged" or some such phrase.

Desket: "Oh, yes, most definitely. Indeed, the World Assembly's rather intell- uh, backward members, as you said yourself, Ambassador, must be kept in line. I'll amend the mentioned clause right away! Creative solu- I mean, deliberate misinterpretation must be prevented at any cost.

"My only quibble here right now is the oddness of the phrasing; I'd replace "as a result of" with "via".

Desket: "You make a good point, and it has been addressed."

[Araraukar]

OOC: Currently my only real quibble is the category chosen.

Social Justice - A resolution to reduce income inequality and increase basic welfare. Healthcare and healthcare spending are not covered by Social Justice. Use the "Health" category.

You have one Educational, one Healthcare and one Civil Rights clause. They do not combine into a Social Justice proposal. Right now the proposal doesn't really fit any category, being equally straddled between three of them.

[Deacarsia]

While I recognize the importance of advancing mental health, I oppose this proposal on the basis of national sovereignty.

[South Reinkalistan]

OOC: Currently my only real quibble is the category chosen.

Social Justice - A resolution to reduce income inequality and increase basic welfare. Healthcare and healthcare spending are not covered by Social Justice. Use the "Health" category.

You have one Educational, one Healthcare and one Civil Rights clause. They do not combine into a Social Justice proposal. Right now the proposal doesn't really fit any category, being equally straddled between three of them.

Hmmm... I might add some clauses RE: healthcare to let it fit the category; I'll get to work on a second draft regarding that.

While I recognize the importance of advancing mental health, I oppose this proposal on the basis of national sovereignty.

I find the "National Sovereignty" argument in this case to be woefully misplaced. It'd make (more) sense were genuine restrictions being proposed in this draft; all it requires, however, is that member-states tackle the causes and effects of mental illnesses and similar conditions, as well as comply with base scientific fact to make a better life for those who would be otherwise denied such.

If a government spreading misinformation to its populace is in the interests of "National Sovereignty", then I consider rhetoric such as yours to be nothing more than dogma.

[Araraukar]

Hmmm... I might add some clauses RE: healthcare to let it fit the category; I'll get to work on a second draft regarding that.

OOC: Then you'll need to change from Social Justice to Health (and the Healthcare AoE).