Maharashtra Govt constitutes Mental Health Authority

By Vikas Vaidya


The Public Health Department of Maharashtra has constituted State Mental Health Authority for taking measures for the implementation of guidelines given in Mental Health Care Act 2017. Apart from the officials, the authority will also have two persons representing who have had mental illness, to be nominated by the State Government.
The Mental Healthcare Act came into existence in 2017. But the guidelines in it are not yet implemented. To address the guidelines properly in society, in medical fraternity and in Government officials, now the committee has been constituted.
Dr Abhishek Somani, Professor at the department of Psychiatry, Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital (IGGMCH) said, “After coming the act into existence the step of implementation was much needed. The committee now will chalk out how the rights of mentally ill patients would be addressed, whether any kind of forced treatment is being given to such patients, whether the proper care during treatment is being taken of. Apart from these precautions there are several other important things that would be thought of by the committee, it is expected.”
Dr Pravin Navkhare, Superintendent at Mental Hospital, Nagpur elaborated the purpose of the authority. He explained, “State Mental Health Authority will be supreme as far as implementation of act is concerned. It will not only have officials and non-officials-- the two components but also Psychiatrists, even representatives of the patients. The committee is very comprehensive and will look after every minute things of the act.”
“The functions of the authority are very clear. The guidelines of the act to be implemented, to see what standard rules are applied for psychiatric nursing homes etc. There are other things also in the act to be implemented properly and those would be incorporated by the authority. There is a provision of maintaining confidentiality, whether advanced directives are being followed by the psychiatrists. These things are also will be addressed properly by the Authority,” said Dr Navkhare.
Dr Nikhil Pande, noted Psychiatrist welcomed the move by the Government. He said, “Though all the details yet are not available, the authority is comprehensive as it has members from all the sectors. It is very important aspect. Because, psychiatry is inclusive of several other things. It is evident that life
expectancy has increased. People suffer from various mental illnesses. During that period apart from our role the understanding of relatives play vital part. I feel this authority would bring all round change in mental health sector. Act came is good thing but ultimately its implementation in a proper manner carrries weight. It will be done by the Authority.”

Constitution of the Authority


The 14-member authority is dominaated by Mumbai and Thane. There is a lone member from Wardha, Vidarbha who is in the category of ‘Two persons representing non-governmental organizations which provide services to person with mental illness’. The name of the member is Dr Sally John of Sanjivani Ashram, Wardha in Vidarbha.
Chairperson ex-officio- Principal Secretary in Department; Member Ex-officio- Joint Secretary; Ex-officio Member Secretary- Director; Member Ex-officio- Joint Secretary, Social Welfare; Members ex-officio - Commissioner, Health Services; DMER; Head of Psychiatry Department, J J Medical College, Mumbai; Additional Director (Mental Health); Nominated members : Head of any of the Mental Hospitals in the State or Head of Department Of Psychiatry at any
Government Medical College; one eminent psychiatrist from the state not in Government service;
One mental health professional; one psychiatric social worker having at least
fifteen years experience in the field; one clinical psychologist having at least fifteen
years experience in the field; one mental health nurse having at least fifteen
years experience in the field; two persons representing who have or have had
mental illness; two persons representing care-givers of persons with mental illness or organization
representing care-givers; two persons representing non-governmental organizations which provide services to person with mental illness - (Dr Sally John, Sanjivani Ashram, Wardha)

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