Mental Healthcare Bill passed in Lok Sabha: Why it is significant for India with high suicide rates

New Delhi: In a progressive move, the Lok Sabha on Monday passed a bill, which decriminalises suicide and makes provisions for the right to better healthcare for people suffering from mental illness.

The bill seeks to ensure health-care, treatment and rehabilitation of persons with mental illness 'in a manner that does not intrude on their rights and dignity.

The bill intends to take care of everyone in case of any exigency or requirement, while also assuring free treatment for homeless or poor, even if they do not possess a Below Poverty Line card.

The passage of the Mental Healthcare Bill 2016, which was earlier passed by the Rajya Sabha in August 2016, is significant given India's current mental health status.

Figures revealed suicide rates in India are rising alarmingly compared to other countries in the world. For women, suicide is the leading cause of 'unnatural' death in India.

According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), 1.33 lakh people took their own lives in 2015 in India. The NCRB data also reveals that housewives,daily wage earners and students are the most vulnerable groups.

The World Health Organisation (WHO), in its latest report, has said that over five crore Indians are suffering from depression, a major contributor to global suicides.

The report titled 'Depression and Other Common Mental Disorders - Global Health Estimates' also said over two-thirds of global suicides were in low- and middle-income countries like India in 2015.

Suicide occurs throughout the lifespan and was the second leading cause of death among 15-29 year olds globally in 2015, said the report.

According to a WHO report published in 2014, India accounted for the highest estimated number of suicides in the world in 2012.

With the Parliament passing the bill, survivors of attempted suicide will no longer have to undergo prosecution. The bill states that a person who attempts suicide should be presumed to have severe stress, and shall not be punished. Earlier, a person who attempts to commit suicide is charged under section 309 of IPC as it is considered to be an offence.

While India still faces an acute shortage of mental health care professionals, including psychiatrists, the bill is a historic and progressive legislation as it would help tackle high prevalence of mental health disorders in the country.