What is in news : The State Cabinet has approved the Karnataka State Mental Healthcare Rules, 2021, to implement the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, of the Centre, to provide healthcare and services for persons with mental illness and to protect, promote, and fulfil the rights of such persons.

MENTAL HEALTHCARE ACT, 2017

Features :

• Right to make an Advance Directive
• Patient can state on how to be treated or not to be treated for the illness during a mental health situation.
• FOLLOWING RIGHTS ARE GIVEN TO PATIENTS
  • Right to appoint a Nominated Representative: A person shall have the right to appoint a nominated representative to take on his/her behalf, all health related decisions
  • Right to access mental health care
  • Right to free & quality services
  • Right to get free medicines
  • Right to community living
  • Right to protection from cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment
  • Right to live in an environment, safe and hygienic, having basic amenities
  • Right to legal aid
  • No Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) without anesthesia
• Attempt to commit suicide not an offence
• This act brought changes in Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code (which criminalized attempted suicide).
• Now, a person who attempts to commit suicide will be presumed to be “suffering from severe stress’’ and shall not be subjected to any investigation or prosecution.
• The act envisages the establishment of Central Mental Health Authority and State Mental Health Authority.