Implementation of Mental Health Care Act, 2017: Issues and Way Forward

Abstract

The Government of India preferred legislative lever of public policy over economic incentives, funding support, public awareness campaigns levers by enacting the Mental Health Care Act (MHCA) in the year 2017. MHCA 2017 mandates for mental healthcare and services for persons with mental illness and to protect, promote and fulfil the rights of such persons during delivery of mental healthcare and services. MHCA 2017 is supposed to bring socio-cultural and structural changes to mental health issues in India. This article seeks to identify the various issues and challenges in the implementation of the Act at the macro level, specifically in the areas of prevention of mental morbidities, treatment gaps, reintegration and rehabilitation of the patient. It also suggests the way forward to remove the identified barriers.