A division bench of the MP high court granted the state government one last chance to establish the Mental Health Authority and urged it to provide a progress report on the matter. On Thursday, the court heard a petition filed by the MP state Legal Aid Authority and the High Court Legal Service Committee, which stated that the state government had formed the state Mental Health Authority without Mental Health Review Boards or other necessary provisions to make the body functional.
Loopholes in Administration
The petition filed in 2020 claimed that after the President of India approved a law, seeking to establish a Mental Health Authority in all states of the country in 2017, the Authority should have been formed in nine month, but the Madhya Pradesh government has yet to do so. During an earlier hearing in the case, the state government informed the court that it had issued notification for the establishment of the State Mental Health Authority and that the finance department had sanctioned a budget for the same.
The petitioners, on the other hand, said that the law should have established Mental Health Review Boards and should have provided training to personnel from the police and other departments involved. However, they have not completed it as of yet. The petitioners notified the court on Thursday that, despite numerous opportunities, the state government has yet to form the Mental Health Review Board and has not provided training to workers in relevant agencies. The state government is claiming that it does not have a sufficient budget for the purpose.
Last Chance to State Government
After hearing both the sides , the division bench of chief judge RV Malimath and judge Vishal Mishra gave the state government last chance to establish the necessary provisions for the State Mental Health Authority as required by law and provide a progress report to the court.
What is Mental Health Authority
The term “mental health authority” refers to a licensed mental health professional who has the authority to ensure the quality of mental health services and their delivery, as well as their adherence to the standards for mental health treatment set by the American Correctional Association. A government body or organization known as a mental health authority is in charge of supervising and coordinating mental health services and regulations within a certain area or jurisdiction. Although the main responsibilities and duties of a mental health authority might differ from one place to another, they often consist of the following:
1) Policy Development:
At the regional or state level, mental health authorities are essential to the development and implementation of mental health policies and regulations. Various areas of mental health care, including prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and community assistance, maybe the focus of these policies.
2) Planning and coordinating services:
Involves determining the population’s requirements in terms of mental health. Mental health authorities do this, following that, they make use of this data to organize and organize mental health treatments so that individuals who require them may get them.
3) Allocating Resources:
These organizations are in charge of providing funds, personnel, and facilities for mental health services and initiatives. They work to ensure that they allocate resources effectively and fairly throughout the area.
4) Monitoring and evaluation:
Mental health authorities track the efficacy of mental health services and programs. To improve mental health treatment, this entails assessing the effectiveness of various therapies, finding areas for improvement, and making data-driven decisions.
5) Crisis Intervention:
Working with emergency services and other pertinent organizations to offer prompt support and help, they may be involved in crisis response and management for mental health situations.
6) Education and Advocacy:
To lessen the stigma associated with mental health conditions, mental health authorities frequently launch educational programs and public awareness campaigns. They encourage greater awareness of mental health across society and fight for the rights of people with mental health disorders.
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