Bill decriminalising suicide bid passed

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 27

With the Lok Sabha giving its nod, Parliament today passed the Mental Healthcare Bill, 2016, which seeks to recognise the rights of mentally-challenged persons, including decriminalising suicide and also providing them affordable treatment. The Bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha in August last year.

The Bill defines mental illness as “a substantial disorder of thinking, mood, perception, orientation or memory that grossly impairs judgment, behaviour, capacity to recognise reality or ability to meet the ordinary demands of life, mental conditions associated with the abuse of alcohol and drugs...”

The Bill also aims to provide health care, treatment and rehabilitation for patients and ensure that they are “provided it in the least restrictive environment possible and in a manner that does not intrude on their rights and dignity”.

Union Health Minister JP Nadda said, “The earlier Act focused on regulations, but this new Bill is patient-centric and after wide consultations, we have ensured that the patient’s interest is safeguarded.”