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The Hindu
4 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Expert committee constituted to set minimum standards for mental health establishments
After setting minimum standards for de-addiction centres in Tamil Nadu, the focus is now on other categories of mental health establishments (MHE). The State has constituted an expert committee to formulate minimum standards for standalone psychiatric hospitals and nursing homes, psychiatry units attached to medical college hospitals, psychiatry wards within general or multi-speciality hospitals and long-term care establishments. According to the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, minimum standards of mental health services should be specified by regulations made by the State Authority. Each State Authority can specify the minimum standards on the basis of their local conditions. For instance, some States may not have adequate psychiatrists, and so, their minimum standards can be fixed according to their circumstances, health officials explained. 'The aim is to ensure every MHE has certain basic standards. This will include staff nurses, psychologists, doctors, space, and number of beds required for a certain number of patients. Putting these basic standards in place at a MHE is important to ensure the human rights of persons with mental illness,' a health official said. According to an order, the expert committee, tasked with formulating minimum standards for MHE, is expected to submit its recommendations to the government within a month. M. Malaiappan, Chief Executive Officer, State Mental Health Authority, Chennai is the committee's chairperson. Apart from a convenor, the committee has 10 members including officials of the Directorate of Medical and Rural Health Services, government and private hospital psychiatrists, representatives of the Tamil Nadu Chapter of Indian Psychiatric Society and NGOs. The Health department, while providing services through State-run MHEs, also exercises regulatory oversight over mental health services across both government and private establishments. This is facilitated through the State Mental Health Authority that is responsible for prescribing and enforcing minimum standards for various categories of MHEs, it said. MHEs can be broadly categorised into five distinct types - standalone psychiatric hospitals and nursing homes, psychiatry units attached to medical college hospitals, psychiatry wards within general or multi speciality hospitals, de-addiction centres, and long-term care establishments such as rehabilitation homes for persons with mental illness, halfway homes and Emergency Care and Recovery Centres. It said formulating minimum standards for each category of MHE is essential to ensure the delivery of quality mental health services and to meet the emerging needs. Already, standards for de-addiction centres were notified in the gazette dated March 12, 2025. Efforts are underway to develop similar standards for the remaining four categories of MHEs for which the expert committee was constituted. The minimum standards formulated for de-addiction centres includes the admission procedure for persons with Substance Use Disorder, human resources including minimum qualifications for the personnel engaged in the centres, infrastructure, CCTV monitoring, matters of human rights and dignity and basic amenities. Experts say setting standards for MHEs will definitely raise benchmarks. 'There needs to be certain standards and minimum requirements to cater to persons with mental illnesses including space and bedding. Despite checks, human rights violations still happen, and fixing standards will put the onus on all the stakeholders involved. Periodic inspections should be included. Hopefully, in the coming years, the gaps in the system will be addressed as well as mushrooming of MHEs come under check,' an expert said.
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
After order from high court, hiring for mental health authority begins
New Delhi: Delhi govt has begun the recruitment process for 11 key positions in State Mental Health Authority (SMHA), following a Delhi High Court directive to expedite the appointment of non-official members. The advertised roles include one psychiatrist, one clinical psychologist, one psychiatric social worker, one mental health professional and one mental health nurse-positions deemed crucial to making the authority functional under the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 . The authority is tasked with regulating mental health services in the capital, monitoring treatment centres, registering establishments, and protecting the rights of persons with mental illness. Yet, despite the 2017 act mandating every state to constitute such an authority, Delhi's SMHA remained largely non-functional for years due to delays in appointments, drawing repeated judicial attention. In a Dec 2024 hearing, the high court directed AAP govt to fast-track these long-pending appointments, citing the urgent need for a regulatory framework as demand for mental health services continues to rise. The urgency is underscored by rising mental health challenges among Delhi's youth. A recent AIIMS study, published in Indian Journal of Psychiatry (2024), found that nearly one in three adolescents (aged 15-19) in urban Delhi experienced an episode of depression or anxiety disorder in their lifetime. TNN
Time of India
03-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Now, registration must for mental health centres
Jaipur: State govt has implemented stringent regulations concerning admission and treatment of psychiatric patients. Now, all mental health establishments in the state must obtain mandatory registration. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Health department clarified that no one will be allowed to run a mental health establishment unless it is registered with the department. The registration will ensure patients receive treatment from qualified doctors. Following the Mental Healthcare Act 2017 guidelines, the health department will soon begin accepting applications for the temporary registration of mental health establishments, as directed by the State Mental Health Authority (SMHA). The state made it obligatory for all psychiatric medical facilities to register under this initiative. The department released comprehensive guidelines outlining the temporary registration process for mental health establishments. Registration requirements extend to all institutions providing inpatient mental health services, including those practising ayurveda, yoga, naturopathy, unani, siddha and homeopathy. Upon being satisfied that a mental health establishment fulfils the standards specified by the health department, a certificate of registration will be issued. The department will ensure that the centres providing treatment for mental health maintain the minimum standards specified by the health department. Principal secretary (health) and SMHA chairperson Gayatri Rathore said, "Detailed guidelines for the temporary registration of mental health establishments have been issued by the department." She said any institution providing inpatient services to mental health patients, including ayurveda, yoga, naturopathy, unani, siddha and homeopathy, can apply for registration. The department clarified that it is necessary for applicants to include arrangements for the admission, care, treatment, recovery, and rehabilitation of mental health patients.
