Senator Coleman observed that people with mental disorders have been discriminated and marginalized over the years because awareness about the rights of people with mental illnesses have been lacking in the country.


The Grand Kru County lawmaker who is medical doctor, sounded the caution Saturday at a program marking the celebration of World Mental Health Day held at the Monrovia Christian Fellowship in the Monrovia suburb of Sinkor.


He noted that people with mental-illness have rights, but that their rights have been trampled upon over the years by institutions that should help them recover from their illness.


He stressed that the Mental Health Bill, when enacted into law, will ensure that issues relating to mental health and mentally-ill people are prioritized at every health center  in the country.


Senator Coleman emphasized that the tendency by Liberians to discriminate against their compatriots who are victims of mental disorder could undermine the human rights record of Liberia, adding that they also have human rights that need to be protected.

LINA/CB/TSS