Review Article
Year: 2019 | Month: January-March | Volume: 4 | Issue: 1 | Pages: 60-64
Psychiatric Advance Directives: An Understanding
Dr. Dharmender Nehra1, Dr. Savinder Singh2, Dr. Pratik Kumar3, Dr. Purushottam4, Dr. Ashish Kumar Malik5, Dr. Vivek Srivastava6
1Clinical Psychologist, Institute of Mental Health, Rohtak
2Director, Institute of mental health, Amritsar
3Resident, Institute of Mental Health, Amritsar
4Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Pt. B.D. Sharma PGIMS, Rohtak
5Senior resident, Department of Psychiatry, Pt. B.D. Sharma PGIMS, Rohtak
6Junior Resident, Department of Psychiatry, Pt. B.D. Sharma PGIMS, Rohtak
Corresponding Author: Dr. Vivek Srivastava
ABSTRACT
Undoubtedly, 2017 is a watershed year for mental health professionals and sufferers; this year witnessed the historic moment of the advance of Mental Health Care Act (MHCA). The importance of this Act cannot be underestimated as it has come as a ray of hope as few rights have been given to the persons with mental illness, first time, like the right to make advance directives. Hence, it can be said that its coming is a tremendous achievement and a beacon of hope for the millions of people. It is a pivotal Act in the battle against the mental illness that also directs the public’s attention toward the ongoing pandemic. Efforts to implement it will cause many challenges as well as renewed optimism. Understanding of concepts related to ADs is essential for mental health professionals as they have an important role to play with severe, persistent, mental illnesses. The purpose of this article is to collect the blinding flashes of insight, as well as the mundane aspects of ADs to begin to understand its benefits and prediction of barriers in its implementation and their possible solution.
Keywords: Person with Mental Illness, Mental Healthcare Act, Advance Directives; Barriers.