Rights of Mentally Ill Patients

Renuka Polly Dass, Dr. Anu Gauba

Abstract: Mental health is an important component of the overall health of any individual. This was long recognized in ancient India, where in addition to the medical dimension, philosophical, religious, moral and ethical dimensions shaped and provided the ground for normal mental health and contributed to an integrated healing and welfare system for mental illness. Mental health conditions are disturbances in a person's thinking, feeling, or behavior (or a combination of these) that reflect a problem in mental function. They cause distress or disability in social, work, or family activities.

Keywords: Mental health, medical dimension, philosophical, religion