The first national workshop on the National Mental Health Care Act 2017 and related rules was organised by the Indian Psychiatry Society, Odisha State Branch here on Sunday.
The Act was passed by the Lok Sabha on March 27, 2017 and got President’s approval in April 2017.
More than 100 psychiatrists from all over the country attended the workshop.
Hi-Tech Medical College Psychiatry Department head Dr Amrit Pattojoshi organised the scientific workshop. IPS-OSB president Dr Samrat Kar and general secretary Dr Suvendu Narayan Mishra coordinated the programme.
The basic ethos of MHCA 2017, which were discussed, included various benefits, rights of a person with mental illness, the shortcomings and challenges that would be arising as this Act would come into effect. Challenges to be faced by mental health professionals also figured in talks.
“This Act will be instrumented in preserving the basic rights of persons with mental illness and it will surely help to reduce the taboo regarding mental illness,” said Dr Pattojoshi.