This refers to the editorial “Decriminalising suicide” (August 15). With the passing of The Mental Health Care Bill, 2016 by Rajya Sabha, India’s ecosystem became more humane. Our mind serves as a bridge between the body and soul. Therefore, like our body, it can also get contaminated and suffer from illness.
In Western society, it is treated as normal if someone goes to a psychiatrist. But in India, it is a taboo and any such person is viewed negatively. Moreover, if a mentally ill person committed suicide, his or her whole family is then subjected to social scrutiny. Also, as an attempt to commit suicide was a criminal offence, brute force was often used to ‘control’ the patient instead of treating him or her with professional compassion and medical care.
Finally, while the legislative effort is welcome, India needs to quickly create the enabling infrastructure for support those with mental health concerns.