Comparing legislation for involuntary admission and treatment of mental illness in four South Asian countries
Posted on 2019-10-25 - 13:01
Abstract Background Involuntary admission or treatment for the management of mental illness is a relatively common practice worldwide. Enabling legislation exists in most developed and high-income countries. A few of these countries have attempted to align their legislation with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This review examined legislation and associated issues from four diverse South Asian countries (Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) that all have a British colonial past and initially adopted the Lunacy Act of 1845. Method A questionnaire based on two previous studies and the World Health Organization checklist for mental health legislation was developed requesting information on the criteria and process for involuntary detention of patients with mental illness for assessment and treatment. The questionnaire was completed by psychiatrists (key informants) from each of the four countries. The questionnaire also sought participantsâ comments or concerns regarding the legislation or related issues. Results The results showed that relevant legislation has evolved differently in each of the four countries. Each country has faced challenges when reforming or implementing their mental health laws. Barriers included legal safeguards, human rights protections, funding, resources, absence of a robust wider health system, political support and sub-optimal mental health literacy. Conclusion Clinicians in these countries face dilemmas that are less frequently encountered by their counterparts in relatively more advantaged countries. These dilemmas require attention when implementing and reforming mental health legislation in South Asia.
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Dey, Sangeeta; Mellsop, Graham; Diesfeld, Kate; Dharmawardene, Vajira; Mendis, Susitha; Chaudhuri, Sreemanti; et al. (2019). Comparing legislation for involuntary admission and treatment of mental illness in four South Asian countries. figshare. Collection. https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.4713434.v1
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AUTHORS (11)
SD
Sangeeta Dey
GM
Graham Mellsop
KD
Kate Diesfeld
VD
Vajira Dharmawardene
SM
Susitha Mendis
SC
Sreemanti Chaudhuri
AD
Aniruddha Deb
NH
Nafisa Huq
HA
Helal Ahmed
MS
Mohammad Shuaib
FK
Faisal Khan