Promote Rights of Persons with Mental Health Issues: NHRC Advisory to Centre and States

Mental Health is the foundation of well-being and leads to a meaningful and productive life. In mental health institutions, the emphasis so far is placed on medication and therapy alone. Integrating mental health care into community creates opportunities for individuals to engage with peers, participate in meaningful activities and contribute to the society.

On World Mental Health Day today, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued an advisory to all states and the Centre to implement its recommendations and promote the rights of persons with mental health issues.

NHRC has asked the government to send Action Taken Report within two months to keep the commission informed.

Implement Existing Laws and Policies

The advisory issued by Bharat Lal, Secretary-General, NHRC, is in line with its effort to implement Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 on ground. The Act provides for mental healthcare and services. The law said insurance policies and schemes should include treatment of mental illness, public-private partnership, and public awareness generation activities to deal with social stigma, discrimination and lack of awareness about mental illness in society. To boost the treatment for mental disorders for financially disadvantaged population, it has now been made compulsory to include mental illness in Ayushman Bharat scheme. It was made mandatory to register mental health establishments.

Infrastructure and Amenities

Patients should not be kept in isolation or locked up in establishments, and should be provided with group entertainment and be engaged in other activities. It is now necessary to restructure the establishments as per the contemporary requirements of technology, amenities, and services.

NHRC has advised that efforts should be made to meet internationally accepted guidelines for a number of mental health professionals based on population by 2027. Security personnel employed in the establishments should be sanitised towards patients’ rights. The post for counsellors with qualified staff must be filled in schools and colleges. The government should ensure that posts for mental health professionals be filled.

Rehabilitation of Recovered Patients

Patients should not be retained in the establishment even for a day after being declared fit for discharge. It is seen that many patients, who are above 60 years, remain in hospital even after they are recovered. The 2017 Act says the rehabilitation provisions for geriatric patients should be provided. NHRC has advised that mental health should also be included as subject matter to CSR funds. The recovered patients should be provided with half way home systems. The state should ensure free legal aid to the person.

NHRC in its advisory has said appropriate help be provided to patients and their family members to open their bank accounts and they should be made aware and facilitated with benefits and social schemes. It also said mass awareness and sensitisation must be carried out via campaigns, TV, newspapers and other media in local languages.