KOSHISH is a right holder’s organization in the area of mental health and psychosocial disability. We have been asking as well as demanding for inherent dignity of people with mental health issue and psychosocial disability to be protected and promoted. Following the human right based model, we consider people to be at the center with the right to choose options and choices put forward by service providers. ‘Nothing about us, without us’.
Capacity Building of Persons with Mental Health and Psychosocial Issues for Self-advocacy
- Following its establishment, KOSHISH has been providing capacity building activities to persons with mental health and psychosocial issues including awareness on fundamental rights ensured by the Constitution, Rights of Persons with Disability Act (2017), Disability Management, United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability as well as national and international best practices. Thus far, more than 50 persons with mental health and psychosocial issues have been capacitated.
Advocacy and Awareness
Capacity Building of People with Mental Health Problems and Psychosocial Issues for Self-advocacy
Empowerment of persons with mental health and psychosocial issues through peer support and skill development programs to raise their voice demanding for their rights against duty bearers.
Capacity Building of Persons with Mental Health and Psychosocial Issues for Self-advocacy
- Following its establishment, KOSHISH has been providing capacity building activities to persons with mental health and psychosocial issues including awareness on fundamental rights ensured by the Constitution, Rights of Persons with Disability Act (2017), Disability Management, United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability as well as national and international best practices. Thus far, more than 50 persons with mental health and psychosocial issues have been capacitated.
Media Sensitization
Mobilize and sensitize the media on creating awareness amongst general public and concerned stakeholders and pressurizing the government to prioritize mental health and psychosocial disabilities in policies, plans and programs.
Media Sensitization
- KOSHISH has been working in close collaboration with the media in raising awareness on mental health and psychosocial issues. Through regular radio programs, Public Service Announcements, development and dissemination of Newsletters and Information, Education and Communication materials, KOSHISH has been raising awareness to address immediate and long term issues in relation to mental health and psychosocial disability.
Meaningful Participation
As an expert in this field and issue we want to cooperate with professional but demand for meaningful participation and not tokenism. We want to be included from the planning process to until every process of implementation, monitoring & evaluation.
Meaningful Participation
- The self-advocates are the resource that provides fuel to our engine as their experience and expertise are what is reflected in our advocacy. All of the feedback that we provide in the national and international documents (including legal and policy documents) are from the right holder’s perspective and the delegations that are carried out to various stakeholders are spearheaded by self-advocates themselves. Therefore, we believe that the right holders are resourceful and their voices are of utmost importance and should be taken into consideration in determining what is required for them.
Adoption and implementation of policies and program which are useful for people as according to their choice without compromising quality
Raising voice for the shift in the approach with duty bearers (policy and program implementers) from the dominant charity based and medical model to more holistic human rights based approach to mental health and psychosocial issues based on international human rights standards and its effective implementation.
Adoption and implementation of policies and program which are useful for people as according to their choice without compromising quality
- KOSHISH has reviewed the legal framework of Nepal (Acts, Rules, policies, plans, programs) as well as proposed bills in the context of the Constitution of Nepal, 2015 and UNCRPD, 2006. The findings from the review has been that there are 43 Acts, 5 Rules, 5 bills, the Civil and Criminal Code has challenged the dignity and integrity of persons with mental health issues and psychosocial disability and has legally stigmatized them as well. The legal framework does not completely address the essence of the Constitution of Nepal and UNCRPD. Therefore, our advocacy efforts highlights the need for adoption of legal framework which are mental health and psychosocial disability friendly.
Right based approach
Persons with mental health issues are considered as subjects with autonomy and dignity and not as mere objects. They are the right holders demanding with duty bearers (the state party). We respect differences and acceptance of persons with psychosocial disability as part of human diversity and humanity.
Right based approach
- Mental Health and Psychosocial services are not luxury but necessity like food, shelter and clothes. The Constitution of Nepal 2015, Rights of Persons with Disability Act 2017 as well as regional and international documents ratified by Nepal including United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability has ensured various rights for persons with mental health issues and psychosocial disability and we advocate and demand for the state party/government to ensure enjoyment of these rights on an equal basis with others.
Legal Reform (Public Interest Litigation)
Public Interest Litigation (PIL) is one of the most vital tools to reform the law through Judiciary. KOSHISH files PIL’s for the protection and promotion of human rights against existing discriminatory legal provisions, derogative words in laws, present barriers to equality in society, and inhumane treatment.
Legal Reform (Public Interest Litigation)
- KOSHISH has filed two PIL thus far: 1) Electoral Rights of Persons with Mental Health issues to be ensured 2) Abolishment of discriminatory provisions in the legal framework towards persons with psychosocial disability