India’s Mental Healthcare Act, 2017

This book comprehensively discusses the background to the passing of India's revolutionary Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, offering a detailed description of the Act itself and a rigorous analysis in the context of the CRPD and the World Health Organization (WHO) standards for mental health law. It examines the fine balance, between complying with the CRPD while still delivering practical, humane, and implementable legislation. It explores how this legislation was shaped by the WHO standards and provides insights into areas where the Indian legislators deviated from these guidelines and why. Taking India as an example, it highlights what is possible in other low- and middle-income countries. Further it covers key issues in mental health, identifying potential competing interests and exploring the difficulties and limitations of international guidelines.
The book is a valuable resource for psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, non-governmental organizations and all mental healthcare workers in India and anyone studying human rights law.

Provides an in-depth analysis of the Indian Mental Healthcare Act 2017

Offers a healthcare perspective rather than a legal one

Serves as a guide for anyone using the Indian Mental Healthcare Act in a professional capacity

Provides guidance for parties revising mental health legislation to bring it in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities