A Bill which seeks to decriminalise suicide and provide better healthcare for people with mental illness was passed by the Rajya Sabha on Monday. The Mental Health Care Bill, 2013, says that any person who attempts suicide shall be presumed, unless proved otherwise, to have mental illness and shall not be liable to punishment under Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code. Special provisionsVarious stakeholders, including academics and experts, and the political establishment were consulted while formulating the Bill, Mr. Nadda said. The Bill also provides for the protection and promotion of the rights of persons with mental illness during the delivery of healthcare in institutions and in the community. There were 134 official amendments to the Bill, which took almost an hour to be passed.

Source: The Hindu August 08, 2016 22:52 UTC