Did you know that you have the right to health? According to the World Health Organization, you do. That's right! You have the right to health care or some type of insurance. The World Health Organization's constitution declares that the right to health care “is one of the fundamental rights of every human being.” This is quite funny considering how the government currently approaches health care. But I want to ask if that right to health also applies to mental health. It should because according to the MHA , “over 44 million American adults have a mental health condition.” This is about 13.4% of the population; in our school, this means for every 15 students, there are at least two who are mentally ill and who need mental healthcare. Also the "rate of youth experiencing a mental health condition continues to rise. The rate of youth with Major Depressive Episode (MDE) increased from 11.93% to 12.63%," which is a very big jump in numbers. I want to look into that, but for now I Just want to know if the right to health, the access to treatments, also applies to mental health.

This issue could affect everyone you know. As I said, for every 15 students in our school, there are 2 who are suffering from mental illness and having this right could help them. The right to health can also apply to you if you live with someone with mental issues. Rights to healthcare options and nondiscrimination are important to the well-being of the people that you love. Access to mental health care won't improve overnight, but you have a right to health that should apply to mental health as well.