Suicide bid by mentally ill no crime

Ending years of debate, Parliament passed the Mental Healthcare Bill on Monday that decriminalises suicide attempts by mentally ill people. It also provides for the right to better healthcare for people suffering from mental illnesses. The bill also has a provision to protect and restore the property rights of the mentally ill, health minister J.P. Nadda said on Monday, just before it was passed in the Lok Sabha. The Rajya Sabha had passed it in August 2016 with 134 official amendments.

The bill also focuses on community-based treatment and provides for special treatment for women, besides seeking to ensure healthcare and rehabilitation of persons with mental illness “in a manner that does not intrude on their rights and dignity”.

Suicide attempts by mentally ill persons will no longer be punishable under the Indian Penal Code. Ending years of debate and after wide-ranging consultations with the stakeholders, Parliament passed the Mental Healthcare Bill on Monday that decriminalises suicide attempts by mentally ill people besides providing for the right to better healthcare for people suffering from mental illness.

The bill also has a provision to protect and restore the property right of the mentally ill people, health minister J.P. Nadda said in the Lok Sabha on Monday, just before it was passed by the House by a voice vote. The Rajya Sabha had passed it in August 2016 with 134 official amendments.

All the amendments moved by the Opposition members in the Lok Sabha were defeated.

The bill — described as a “patient-centric” and “progressive” legislation” by Mr Nadda — also focuses on community-based treatment and provides for special treatment for women besides seeking to ensure healthcare, treatment and rehabilitation of persons with mental illness “in a manner that does not intrude on their rights and dignity”.

There was a need to take care of the health and hygiene of the patients, he said, adding the right of a child with his/her mother will also be maintained.

“There were consultations at the regional level, as well at the Centre. After consultations with the stakeholders, the bill was sent to the standing committee and post amendments it came to the Rajya Sabha”, the minister said.

The government accepted most of the suggestions of the standing committee, the health minister said.