Mental health act, 1987: An analysis.

ABSTRACT

Health is defined as "the state of complete physical, mental and social well being and not merely an absence of disease or infirmity." 1 Out of three, the mental status is tricky to evaluate and is the one which actually determines other two health parameters. In our country plenty of legal orders interact with mental disorders in order to protect the interests of mentally ill, society and the state. These legislations are enacted to protect the society from dangerous manifestations of mental illness. There are guidelines regarding restrain, admission and discharge, procedures of civil and criminal action with regard to mentally ill. But do these laws discuss about proper care and treatment? Are there provisions for post discharge care and rehabilitation? In present study, an attempt has been made to discuss Mental Health Act, 1987 and suggestions to make them more fundamental.