Govt planning new mental health care Bill

[Avnish Jolly]

Govt planning new mental health care Bill
http://www.igovernment.in:81/site/govt-planning-new-mental-health-care-bill?utm_source=newsletter-core&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20110819

It is aimed at providing access to mental healthcare for persons with
mental illness and to protect and promote their rights during the
treatment

Submitted on 08/19/2011

New Delhi: The government is considering a new mental healthcare Bill
to replace the old Mental Health Act, 1987, Health and Family Welfare
Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said.

"The Bill aims to provide access to mental healthcare for persons with
mental illness and to protect and promote the rights of persons with
mental illness during the delivery of mental healthcare," Azad told
the Lok Sabha in a written reply.

He said epidemiological studies have indicated that the prevalence of
mental disorders in the country is six to seven per cent, report IANS.

To address the huge burden of mental disorders, government is
targeting 123 districts in 20 states with the aim to reach out to the
people suffering from mental disorders.