Mental Health Care Act, 2017: Challenges and the Way Ahead

Abstract

After the Covid-19 pandemic hit us, we truly understood that without mental health there is no health. The National Mental Health survey conducted in 2014-16 stated that 13.7 % lifetime and 10.6% current mental morbidity is prevalent in India. This along with the adoption of United Nations Conventions on the rights of persons with disabilities by Government of India lead to enactment of the new Mental Health Care Act, 2017. But the Act came with its own challenges as it was based on Legislations of the western world and its implementation in peculiar conditions of India is facing hurdles. The role of family and caregiver is undermined especially in Indian context where family members are the first level of contact for persons with mental health issues and when facing challenges and hardships in life. This paper focuses on shortcomings of the act as even after 4 years of coming into force, the act fails to achieve what it intended to. This calls for various amendments in the law as per the resources available and the peculiar requirements of our society.