The Kerala Health Department has announced that its three Mental Health Centres will now be called Happiness and Wellness Centres to battle stigma and promote communal and social awareness. The move follows a Kerala High Court slam after it found the three centres in tragic conditions. A bench of judges from the Kerala High Court was left shocked after visiting the three Mental Health Centres in Thrissur, Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode.
They described the living conditions of the residents as violating their human rights. The bench of judges was dumbfounded by the lack of empathy and basic care given to institutions of such a sensitive nature. The sudden change follows a second call for immediate intervention after the first went unheard, prompting the Kerala High Court to question the state’s commitment to the same.
Reasons for Kerala High Court’s Disappointment
The panel of judges who had conducted a physical assessment of the three centres highlighted the absolute ignorance of basic overall health, hygiene and care that should govern such a space. They also emphasised the lack of responsibility by all three Mental Health Centres to provide a safe environment to its residents and strongly urged the authorities in charge to intervene immediately.
Key Observations by Kerala High Court
- Human Rights Concerns
- Holistic Safety of Residents
- Abuse of Power
- Misuse of Privacy
- Lack of Transparency in Administration
The News Minute reported the above as the truths that were discovered by the Kerala High Court bench that visited the three institutions. A change in name can also help to prevent and control the negative perceptions by society and communities towards Mental Health Institutions in both Kerala and even India. It may emerge as a preventive measure that allows people a change in self-perception and empowers their healing.
The Positive Impact of Words
Psychological studies have highlighted in depth how positive words can lay a foundation that is extremely transformative and substantial to growth and social development. Positive words can uplift and encourage people while also fostering pivotal changes in both perspective and growth. The usage of words like Happiness and Health Centre paints an optimistic picture, which can help to reduce the shame and stigma associated with Mental Health institutions in India. It can change the emotions and negative outcomes often attached to such spaces by also creating an atmosphere that aims at corrective and uplifting measures.
Conclusion
The word Mental Health is often perceived in a negative light and can raise depressive thoughts and patterns in individuals diagnosed with such problems. Several healthcare professionals have opined that merely changing the name and not the system will be of little avail. It is hoped that the Kerala Health Department and all other stakeholders prioritise the basic rights of these residents to live in a dignified and humane manner. Several inmates have no other option but to endure the treatment meted out to them. We can only hope that the Kerala High Court’s grand slam scores a bigger win for these individuals, society and Kerala State.
References +
- Psych Central- Can words change your brain https://psychcentral.com/blog/words-can-change-your-brain#effects-on-the-brain
- South First- Keralam Drops Mental Health Tag https://thesouthfirst.com/health/keralam-drops-mental-health-tag-renames-centres-happiness-and-wellness-centres-to-shed-stigma/
- The New Indian Express-Happiness and Wellness Centres to Break Stigma https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2026/Sep/03/happiness-wellness-centres-to-break-stigma-says-health-minister-k-muraleedharan
- The News Minute-Horror Places: Kerala HC slams govt over conditions at mental health centres https://www.thenewsminute.com/kerala/horror-places-kerala-hc-slams-govt-over-conditions-at-mental-health-centres
- To protect vulnerable patients from social stigma and portray the centres as institutions that promote community welfare and development.
