KEY FEATURES OF MENTAL HEALTH BILL

RIGHTS OF THE MENTALLY ILL:

Right to access mental healthcare, treatment from governmentrun/funded services. This includes affordable, good quality, easy access to services. Right to equality of treatment, protection from inhuman and degrading treatment, free legal services, access to medical records.

ADVANCE DIRECTIVE:

A mentallyill person shall have the right to make an advance directive that states how s/he wants to be treated for the illness during a mental health situation and who his nominated representative shall be. The advance directive has to be certified by a medical practitioner or registered with the Mental Health Board.

MENTAL HEALTH AUTHORITIES:

Administrative bodies at central, state levels to register, supervise, maintain list of mental health establishments; develop quality and service provision norms; keep register of mental health professionals; train officials; receive complaints; advise the government on matters of mental health.

DECRIMINALISING SUICIDE, PROHIBITING ELECTROCONVULSIVE THERAPY:

A person who attempts suicide shall be presumed to be suffering from mental illness; won’t be punished under IPC. Electro-convulsive therapy is allowed only along with muscle relaxants and anaesthesia; prohibited for minors.

PRS LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH