The Human Rights Act is a law that says all people have basic rights.  Your human rights mean that you should be treated fairly and with respect and dignity. And that you can make decisions about your life and be listened to.

But some human rights that you have are particularly important if you are under the Mental Health Act. These articles are:

• Article 2 – The right to life
• Article 3 – The right to be free from inhuman or degrading treatment
• Article 5 – The right to liberty
• Article 8 – The right to respect for private and family life, home and correspondence.
• Article 14 – Right not to be discriminated against when relying on your other rights in the Human Rights Act.

How these rights apply to you when you are under the Mental health Act is explained in detail in the guides.

What is the Equality Act?

The Equality Act is a law that protects you from discrimination and makes sure you are treated fairly.  It protects you from unfair treatment because of your:

• age,
• race,
• sex,
• disability,
• sexual orienta