The Mental Healthcare Act, 2017

The Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 aims to provide mental healthcare and services for persons with mental illness, and to protect, promote and fulfill the rights of such persons during delivery of healthcare. It provides for the establishment of Central and State Mental Health Authorities, Mental Health Review Commissions, and other bodies responsible for ensuring compliance with the provisions of the Act. The Act also lays down guidelines for admission, treatment, discharge, and rehabilitation of persons with mental illness, and prohibits inhuman treatment of such persons. It recognizes the right to confidentiality, and provides for advance directives, and the appointment of nominated representatives for persons with mental illness who are unable to take decisions on their own. The Act also defines the responsibilities of the government, healthcare providers, and caregivers towards persons with mental illness.