Advanced Directive of National Mental Health Policy

Mental Health Policy

                    National Mental Health Policy replaced the Mental Health Act,1987 based on equity and values ,justice,evidence based care and quality, participatory and holistic approach to poorly managed mental health care issues of India. 

Advanced Directive :

                     'Advanced Directive' mentioned in the policy refers to the choice of the individual the way he is treated and in nominating his guardian with a certification from medical practitioner registered with the board of mental health. The nominee can be altered or cancelled on the request of individual to the board.

Merits :

1. Rights of persons with mental illness to get treated  from service run by government or funded by the state government.

2. Protection from inhumane treatment, equality, affordability of services and dignity of life.

3. Decriminalizing Suicide and allowing the individual to go through a therapeutic treatment as he is considered mentally during suicide process and made immortal from punishment under IPC.

4. Mental Health Board assigned for periodic check over Advanced Directive helps for the progression of Mental Health Policy.

5. Restriction of Shock therapies and insurance based on eligibilty.

Demerits:

1. Minors have been excluded and it might lead to inhumane treatment of children.

2. Absence of budget allocation, funding allocation can be a bottleneck to the policy.

3. Activists argue that the legislation only supports the bio medical model of mental illness and does not comply with the UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRCPD).

4.Government has to provide Housing and Community Services for Mental Health People.

5. Most Vulnerable Sexual Abuse has to be considered.

6. There may be clinical interference by the nominees of individuals and Family Care has to be mentioned during this process.

Conclusion :

                         Mental Health Policy makes a big step towards protecting and providing the Rights of Mentally ill people and providing affordable services following International Conventions if implemented properly.