Introduction
Being in a state of having a sound mind, mental health is vital yet patients suffering from mental illnesses are denied dignity, are stigmatized and their rights trampled on. The Mental Health Review Boards established under the Mental Healthcare Act of 2017 are therefore important appendages whose duty is to ensure that such people exercising their Mental Health are accorded their rights. These boards are protective of correct care, services, and respect for the dignity of and for persons with mental illness in mental health institutions.
The Core Rights Protected
The Mental Healthcare Act was passed in India in 2017 According to Section 18 of MHA Act, every person suffering from a mental illness has a right to receive care and treatment in public health facilities without being discrimination. These facilities mean that clients have to be honored, and their dignity maintained through acceptable community living. More to the point, the relief-granting individuals cannot also be subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
Another element protected by the Act is confidentiality. Medical practitioners need to facilitate that information regarding one’s mental health stay secret. Also, people are also free to claim for legal assistance and make complaints whenever services provided are below standard.
The Role of Mental Health Review Boards
Most of the states have six members on the Mental Health Review Boards that can hear complaints and violation of rights. They control admissions and therapies at different healthcare centers; primary care, modern as well as the ancient practices such as Ayurveda and Homoeopathy. For example, if institutions have admitted minors or women, then the board must be notified within 72 hours. Others may take up to one week for this period. Stays that extend beyond a 30 day need board approval and serve as an accountability regarding the treatment plan.
The Act also expects certain forms of treatment with high rigorous measures. For example, ECT for minors depends on the board, and there are severe limitations to psychosurgery for all patients.
Collaborative Efforts
The Mental Health Review Boards work hand in hand with the judicial officers, the police and the health care facilities in order to defend the rights of persons who have mental disabilities. They also conduct many workshops and awareness programs regarding the provisions of the MHA among the concerned stakeholders like the programs conducted in Mangalore. These activities must be to guarantee compliance with the Act as well as to enhance awareness and responsibility among actors across mental health care and rights.
The Bottom Line
The Mental Health Review Boards were to serve as an interface between the patient, the healthcare provider, and the legal system while protecting the dignity, rights and welfare of patients suffering from mental illness. These are some of the ways through which they contribute towards the development of busting the stereotypical myths that surround it and especially when it comes to the allocation of good quality facilities for the needy.
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