Mental health bill creates central and state mental health authorities

This Bill aims to provide mental health care and services for persons with mental illness while protecting, promoting, and fulfilling their rights during the delivery of such care. It seeks to align Indian laws with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which India ratified in 2007.

The Bill applies to persons with mental illness, their care-givers, families, and nominated representatives. It also regulates mental health establishments (hospitals and clinics), medical practitioners, clinical psychologists, police officers, Magistrates, and the Central and State Governments responsible for mental health administration.

• Establishment of a Central Mental Health Authority and State Mental Health Authorities to oversee mental health services.
• Creation of a Mental Health Review Commission and Mental Health Review Boards to handle applications and appeals regarding admission and treatment.
• Introduction of 'Advance Directives,' allowing individuals to specify their preferences for future mental health treatment.
• Mandating the registration of mental health establishments and requiring them to maintain digital registers and display information.
• Defining rights for persons with mental illness, including the right to community living, protection from cruel treatment, confidentiality, and access to medical records.
• Setting rules for admission, treatment, and discharge, including limits on supported admission (up to 30 days without specific review) and restrictions on psychosurgery and restraints.
• Prescribing penalties for establishing or maintaining mental health establishments in violation of the Act and for contraventions of its rules.

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