Linking human rights and psychological well-being
JOBURG - Did you ever think that violating a human’s rights could result in psychological instability?
Human Rights Day was celebrated on 21 March in commemoration of the country’s Bill of Rights, which are held in South Africa’s Constitution.
Psychologists have found that basic human rights are not only implemented for reasons of morality, but also for psychological well-being.
Tamryn Coats, counselling psychologist and researcher at Akeso Specialised Psychiatric Clinics, explains that human rights are abstract which results in the presence of them only being felt when lost or violated.
Human Rights Day is not only a day to be aware of and report human rights violations, but also to inform people of their rights in the first place.
It has been brought to light that many people are not aware that their human rights are being violated because they do not have the basic information about them.
Violation of one’s human rights can result in psychological conditions including depression, low self-esteem, symptoms similar to that of post-traumatic stress disorder and an increase in anxiety levels.
Human rights violations don’t end with the victim, but usually result in the victim violating the human rights of others too.
The only way to end human rights being violated, according to Coats, is to embrace diversity in all its forms and attempt to understand the differences of others.
Education is the key to empowering South Africans to stand up for their human rights – if they do not know then they cannot defend themselves.
Anyone who is feeling depressed, anxious or isolated is encouraged to seek professional help from organisations such as Akeso.
www.akeso.co.za; 011 447 0268.
