The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has developed a new Internet resource on human rights and mental health. The Ontario Human Rights Code provides for equal rights and opportunities, and freedom from discrimination in the areas of employment, housing, goods, facilities and services, contracts, and membership in unions, trade or professional associations. The code protects individuals from discrimination and harassment in these areas due to mental health disabilities and addictions, including past, present and perceived conditions. The new web page outlines individuals’ rights and responsibilities under the code in relation to mental health disabilities.
The resource is part of the OHRC’s new Human Rights Mental Health Strategy which is being developed over the next couple of years. Through the web page, the OHRC presents information on various topics including employment, housing, services and the duty to accommodate individuals with mental health disabilities. The web page also provides information about filing human rights complaints with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario and how to get legal support from the Ontario Human Rights Legal Support Centre when filing a complaint.
To access the OHRC website on human rights and mental health, visit www.ohrc.on.ca.
To access the OHRC public consultation paper “Human Rights Mental Health Strategy,” visit www.ohrc.on.ca/en/resources/discussion_consultation/mentalhealth