Mental Healthcare Bill 2016: Parliament gives assent, decriminalises suicide

New Delhi: The Lok Sabha on Monday gave its legislative assent to the Mental Healthcare Bill 2016, that provides for mental healthcare and services for persons with mental illness, and also decriminalises suicide.

The bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha in August 2016 and ensures every person the access to mental health care and treatment from mental health services run or funded by the appropriate government.

It also assures free treatment to the poor and the homeless, irrespective of whether or not they possess a Below Poverty Line (BPL) card.

An important clause in the bill decriminalises suicide, thereby deeming it unpunishable, while also stating that a person who attempts suicide should be presumed to be suffering from severe stress.

"Notwithstanding anything contained in section 309 of the Indian Penal Code, any person who attempts to commit suicide shall be presumed, unless proved otherwise, to have severe stress and shall not be tried and punished under the said Code," the bill said.

According to the bill, providing care, treatment and rehabilitation to a person, having severe stress and who attempted to commit suicide, to reduce the risk of recurrence of any attempt will be the responsibility of the government.

A person with mental illness will have the right to make an advance directive that states how he she wants to be treated for the illness and nominate a representative, the bill further states.

(With IANS inputs)