Dignity is any individual’s birth right. However people with mental illness are denied this basic right through stigmatizing beliefs and discrimination put forth by the societal folks. Dignity has become a great rallying cry for change in the public perception and mental health services, at national and international levels.Dignity in mental health should be brought to the forefront of not only mental health care but also general health care. Nurses should support the independence of individuals in need of support due to disability, illness or frailty. They should provide a range of services including practical assistance, personal care, and emotional support. They can provide these services in residential or nursing care settings, in the person’s own home or in the community. For dignity in mental health to become universal we need to promote dignity and ethical values including social justice throughout our whole society, and create a shared understanding of what dignity in mental health looks and feels like. Making dignity happen requires delivering good care and supporting recovery for people with mental health problems and their families requires a workforce that can work in a collaborative way with patients and care.

Keywords: Dignity; Stigma; Discrimination; Autonomy