*Dec 27, 2010* The 2010 amendment of Mental Health Care Act (MHCA), by the Government of India aims to improve accessibility to quality mental health care.
In India, the family members of persons with mental illness have an emotional and social burden of providing treatment and care. A vast section of the society is under-privileged and can barely support themselves, let alone bearing treatment expenses of the mentally-ill member. Treatment costs can put them in a financial slump as certain treatments requiring psychiatric interventions go on for a very long time. These people may also be subjected to a lot of discrimination in the society. Mental health care has always received the least priority. Lack of recognition of the seriousness, poor understanding about the benefits of treatment and the stigma associated with mental illness have all led to the discrimination against mentally-ill individuals. At present health insurance policies do not cover any problems related to psychiatric conditions or psychosomatic dysfunctions, arising either from birth or caused by an accident. As per MHCA’s directives health insurance providers will have to mandatorily provide quality public mental and health services without discrimination against mentally-ill individuals. These individuals should be treated at par with any other person suffering from a health problem. The environment around them should be conducive to facilitate recovery to the maximum potential. Protecting and promoting the rights of persons with mental illness during the delivery of mental care will be of utmost priority. An insurance policy to cater to this group of individuals will bring about a positive change in the society and greatly help their family members. Mentally ill persons will be entitled to the same privileges as enjoyed by any other ordinary individual. This Act is an important landmark and a significant step in the direction of ensuring equal opportunities for all persons. http://www.myinsuranceclub.com/insurance-news/public-and-private-insurers-will-have-to-provide-cover-for-the-mentally-ill -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Mental Health Advocacy (News 'N Views) India" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/MhaNewsViewsIndia?hl=en ------------- Affiliated Groups : MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY INDIA [email protected] Discussions on mental health law / policy / plan monitoring / human rights etc [email protected] India-specific news and views related to mental health [email protected] Information and support to carers of people with mental health issues [email protected] Mutual support and sharing of experiential knowledge, skills and social learning amongst peers
