Union Health Minister J P Nadda today introduced the Mental Healthcare Bill, 2016, in the Lok Sabha that would make provision to protect, promote and fulfill the rights of persons suffering from mental illness.

The Bill, which was cleared last year by the Rajya Sabha, is crucial as it would not only decriminalise suicide, but also ensure right to better healthcare for people suffering from mental illness.

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Introducing the Bill, Mr Nadda said it was progressive and patient-centric. “The purpose of the bill is to give treatment at community level….the society should give an environment in which we should see maximum mental healthcare is community based,” the minister said.

Later initiating the debate in support of the Bill, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said mental patients are treated worse than animals and they are termed ‘lunatics’. He said it is time to replace the term ‘mentally ill’ with ‘person with mental illness’ and ensure self respect and dignity to such people. He said educational institutions should also hire professionals to improve the mental health of students. Half the medical students in India suffer from depression and anxiety, Tharoor added.

BJP member, Dr Heena Gavit, called the Bill a revolutionary one and said it would give dignity to people suffering from mental illness. She also lauded the decriminalisation of suicide. The discussion on the Bill would continue on Monday as it remained inconclusive.