Dear Luc,

Hundreds of thousands of people in 60 countries around the world live in chains, sometimes for years, simply because they have a mental health condition. Stigma, fear and government failure drive this inhumane practice called “shackling.” Today, Human Rights Watch is working with likeminded organizations to launch a global campaign to #BreakTheChains.

In Nigeria, Laide has been shackled for months now. She dreams of owning her own sweet shop one day.

In Ghana, Felix was chained to a tree for five years. Now, he is free and dreams of being welcomed back into his community.

In Indonesia, Sodikin was locked in a tiny shed for over eight years. After getting mental health support, Sodikin was freed and even became the family breadwinner, working at a clothing factory.

Men, women and children with mental health conditions deserve to live in dignity, not chains. You can help by signing the #BreakTheChains pledge.

By signing the pledge, you’ll…

• Publicly denounce the inhumane practice of chaining people who live with mental health conditions.
• Call on governments to take concrete action to end shackling and provide people with mental health conditions with the support they need.
• Pledge to #BreakTheChains with your words, actions, and networks to put an end to shackling worldwide.

Together, we can create a world free of shackling in which people with mental health conditions thrive, receive the services they need, and live free from stigma, discrimination, and abuse.

Working with local organizations in Ghana, Indonesia and Nigeria, Human Rights Watch has investigated, exposed and started a movement to “break the chains” that helped free thousands.

Now we’re going global and we need your help.

Join the #BreakTheChains movement by adding your name to the world’s first ever pledge to end shackling.

Thank you for taking action to support people like Laide, Sodikin, and Felix.

Sincerely,

P.S. This is a global movement that gains strength with each pledge added. So please share this campaign on social media and tell your friends to join you in taking the pledge. Thank you for all that you do to protect human rights.