Mental Health Bill

The rights of persons with Disability Bill, 2014: How “enabling” is it for persons with mental illness?

India ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Person with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in 2007. This is a welcome step towards realizing the rights of the persons with disability. The UNCRPD proclaims that disability results from interaction of impairments with attitudinal and environmental barriers which hinders full and active participation in society on an equal basis with others. F...

Notes on Recent Legislation

Three Bills, all with important mental health aspects and all giving opportunities for the development of mental health service to the community, are now before Parliament, viz. the National Assistance Bill, the Children's Bill and the Criminal Justice Bill. The two former link up at several points with each other and preceding legislation, particularly the National Health Service Act, the Disa...

Parliament, Press and Broadcasting

During the past three months Members of Parliament have had before them several Bills dealing with matters directly or indirectly connected with mental health. News of the progress of the Mental Health Bill itself is reported elsewhere in this issue. The Legitimacy Bill, a private members' Bill, was given its second reading on 30.1.59 and was referred to a Standing Committee. The main purpose o...

Mental health law in India: origins and proposed reforms

Although mental health legislation has existed in India since the mid-19th century, it has gone through various changes over the years and the Mental Health Care Bill 2013 has generated a lot of debate and criticism. Despite its shortcomings, the general expectation is that this bill will usher in a new era of proper care and allow people with mental disorders to lead a dignified life.

New directions in the right to refuse mental health treatment: the implications of Riggins v. Nevada.

The Public and the Mental Health Bill

How far will the Government's new Mental Health Bill help this process of enlightenment? Will some think we are going too far in eroding safeguards which have protected society in the past? To what extent will this new legislation enable us to get better mental health services? What opportunities will it offer the nonprofessional who wishes to play his or her part in helping to solve this probl...