Mental Health Care Bill

Mental Health Care Bill , Central Mental Health Authority  Mental Health Commission

The new mental health care bill, which seeks to decriminalise suicide and make access to affordable mental health care a right for all, was introduced in Rajya Sabha this week.

The Bill explicitly states that acts of suicide will not be criminalised and those attempting suicide would be treated as mentally ill unless proved otherwise and therefore exempted from the current provisions of Section 309 of Indian Penal Code.

It seeks to provide for mental health care for persons with mental illnesses and to protect, promote and fulfil the rights of such persons during the delivery of mental health care and services.

Once the Parliament passes the Bill and it is assented by the President, it will replace the Mental Health Act of 1987.

The Bill also provides stringent penalties for those found running unregistered mental health care establishments which would be fined with Rs. 50,000 to Rs. five lakh depending on the frequency of the offence.

The Bill provides for a State Mental Health Authority and a Central Mental Health Authority along with a Mental Health Review Commission to regulate the sector and register institutions.