Rajya Sabha passes Mental Health Care Bill

The Rajya Sabha has passed the Mental Health Care Bill. It provides for mental health care and services for persons with mental illness.  The bill also has a provision to protect, promote and fulfill the rights of such persons during delivery of mental health care and services.

Replying to debate on the bill, Health and Family Welfare Minister J P Nadda said, this is very progressive legislation and is patient centric.  He said, around 6 to 7 per cent of the country's population suffered from some kind of mental illnesses, while 1 to 2 per cent suffer from



acute mental disease. 

Mr Nadda also admitted that there was shortage of medical staff dealing with mental health in the country and the government is trying hard to have more such specialists. 

He said, the Bill focuses on community based treatment and special provisions for women and health have also been provided.

Earlier, initiating the discussion, Madusudan Mistry of the Congress wanted to know how many people are suffering from mental illness. He asked the government to take the cause of mental health care in a mission mode.