Amendments to Mental Health Care Bill approved by Cabinet

Amendments to a bill which aims to empower people suffering from mental illness and protect their rights were today approved by the Union Cabinet.
The Mental Health Care Bill was introduced in Rajya Sabha last year and sent to a Parliamentary Standing Committee which recommended some amendments.
These amendments were given approval by the Cabinet.
The rights-based Bill envisages an 'Advance Directive' to be made by a person and registered with a mental board, which will be set up by the government at state and central levels.
It will allow the individual to appoint a nominated representative to deal with the kind of treatment in case he falls mentally ill.

Upholding a mentally ill person's right to have treatment in his locality or residence, the Bill says he can prefer only minimum treatment at mental health establishments. This is to ensure that the patient is not segregated from society to the extent possible.
No patient shall be forced to undertake work and subject to compulsory shaving of head and wearing of uniforms, it says.