Mental Health Care Bill, 2016: A boon or bane?

Byline: Gundugurti. Rao, Suresh. Math, M. S. V. K. Raju, Gautam. Saha, Mukesh. Jagiwala, Rajesh. Sagar, T. Sathyanarayana Rao Introduction On August 8, 2016, the Mental Health Care (MHC) Bill, 2016 was passed in the Rajya Sabha. If the Bill is passed in the Lok Sabha, then it repeals the Mental Health Act, 1987. The Government of India ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in 2007. [sup][1] The Convention requires the laws of the country to align with the Convention. The new Bill was introduced as the existing Mental Health Act, 1987 does not fulfill the obligations of the UNCRPD. [sup][2] The preamble of the MHC Bill, 2016 clearly depicts that this legislation is to protect, promote, and fulfill the rights of such persons during delivery of MHC and services. [sup][3] The Bill is progressive and rights based in nature. The whole dedicated Chapter (v) on “Rights of the persons with mental illness” is the heart and soul of this legislation. However, the Bill mainly focuses on the rights of the persons with mental illness only during treatment in hospital and it is completely silent about the care of the persons with mental illness in community. [sup][3] MHC priorities need to be shifted from psychotic disorders to common mental disorders and from mental hospitals to primary health centers. Increase in invisible mental problems such as suicidal attempts, aggression and violence, widespread use of substances, and increasing marital discord and divorce rates emphasizes the need to prioritize and make a paradigm shift in the strategies to promote and provide appropriate mental health services in the community. [sup][4] There are several significant positive developments in the new Bill. First, there is a mention of decriminalization of attempted suicide. It is specifically stated that there is a presumption of severe stress in person with attempted suicide and such person shall not be tried and punished under the said code. Moreover, it is highlighted that the appropriate Government will be bound not only to provide care, treatment, and rehabilitation of such persons but also to take measures to reduce its recurrence. This is an important and progressive step which will have positive implication throughout the country. [sup][5] Second, there is a detailed description on “Rights of person with mental illness. ” This is highly significant step to make the Bill as patient-centric. There is a mention of the right to access MHC and treatment at affordable cost, good quality which is acceptable to person with mental illness, their family members, and caregivers. The onus will be on appropriate Government to make such provisions for range of services including outpatient and inpatient services, half-way homes, sheltered accommodation, supported accommodation, hospital- and community-based rehabilitation, free cost of medicines, specialized services of child and adolescent, and old age mental health. The appropriate Government will ensure necessary budgetary provisions for effective implementation along with integration of mental health services into general health care at all levels of health. Every person with mental health illness will have right to protection from cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment. Third, the key feature in this new Bill is the provision for medical insurance for treatment of mental illness at par with physical illness by all insurers. Mental health insurance has remained a neglected area for long. This new feature will have huge and significant impact for the persons with mental illness, family, and caregivers. [sup][6] Fourth, the new Bill clearly describes the “Duties of appropriate Government. ” This is a unique feature as the appropriate Government will have responsibility to plan, design, and implement programs for mental health such activities related to promotion, prevention, reduction of suicide, stigma. …