Unshackling Mental Illness and the Mental Health Care Act 2017 – 1st Edition

Mental Health Law In India, I.E., Mental Health Care Act 2017, Contrary To Its Own Stated Policy, Completely Segregates Care Of Patients With Mental Illness From That Of Physical Illness. It Is Well Known That Mental and Physical Illnesses Co-Occur In More Than Half Of Patients; Still Restrictive Laws Are Enacted For The Mentally Ill, Compromising Their Comprehensive Care. The Proportion Of Patients With Mental Illness Who Have Impaired Insight Or Judgment Requiring Legal Protection Of Their Rights Is Very Small, ≪10%. More Than 90% Patients With Mental Illness Can Be Treated and Are Ideally Required To Be Treated In Any Healthcare Facility Under The Care Of Psychiatrists At The Outpatient Level Or With Brief, 4&Ndash;6 Weeks Of Inpatient Treatment. Of Course, Those 10% Patients Who Are Severely Psychotic Or Are Refractory To Treatment Or Who Either Refuse Or Cannot Come Into The Treatment Net and Yet Are At Risk Of Harm To Themselves Or Others Require Laws To Commit Them Into Involuntary Treatment and Protect Their Human Rights As Well As The Rights Of The Families and Society.