26 States, UTs constitute State Mental Health Authority Fund: Centre to Rajya Sabha

The information was provided in a written reply to questions raised by MP Surendra Singh Nagar regarding the functioning of the Mental Health Review Board under the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017.

The MP sought details on the number of States and Union Territories that have constituted the State Mental Health Authority (SMHA) and functional Mental Health Review Boards. He also questioned the number of states that have notified the State Mental Health Rules and constituted the State Mental Health Authority Fund. He further inquired about the major reasons for the delay in the constitution and operationalisation of these institutions and the steps taken by the Government to assist the States.

The Minister stated that, as per information received from the Central Mental Health Authority (CMHA), 32 States/Union Territories have constituted the State Mental Health Authorities (SMHAs) and 26 States/Union Territories have constituted the Mental Health Review Boards (MHRBs) under the provisions of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017. He further added that while 26 States/Union Territories have constituted the State Mental Health Authority Fund, Eight States/Union Territories have notified the State Mental Healthcare Rules under the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017.

Moreover, under the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, the constitution and operationalisation of the State Mental Health Authorities and Mental Health Review Boards are the responsibility of the respective State Governments/Union Territory Administrations. The Central Government, through the Central Mental Health Authority (CMHA), regularly monitors the implementation of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 and facilitates the States/UTs by issuing advisories, providing technical guidance on the implementation of the Act and the Rules, the Minister added.