Melvyn Freeman

Submitted by admin on Sat, 08/01/2009 - 12:28

Melvyn Freeman has been involved in mental health policy and legislation issues for 20 years. As a previous Director of Mental Health and Substance Abuse in the National Department of Health in South Africa he was responsible for co-ordinating new human rights oriented mental health legislation that was passed by parliament in 2002. He was also the co-author of the WHO Resource Book on Mental Health, Human Rights and Legislation. In addition to currently being an expert advisor and consultant to the WHO and other national organisations, he holds a position of visiting professor of community psychology at the University of Stellenbosch.