RIGHTS OF A MENTAL PATIENT TO PRIVACY

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These are facts that need a lot of clarification, but let me offer some general thoughts:
1. *You* have no recourse. Only your friend can protect his/her rights.
2. On what basis did the person call your friend mentally ill? If it is true, that is a defense.
3. This sounds more like an opinion rather than a false statement. Opinion is generally protected speech.
4. Your friend has a right not to have his/her reputation damaged by slanderous comments. Making an observation based on public facts does not violate privacy rights.
5. Even if a right was violated, there would need to be damages. Something more than embarrassment.