Preface The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken up several initiatives to improve institutional mental health care. While the Supreme Court mandated to ensure improvement in Government mental health institutions at Agra, Gwalior and Ranchi; the Commission broadened the same on its own to other similar Government institutions across the country. Several visits were undertaken by the Commission and its representatives to mental hospitals in the country to assess the conditions prevalent in them for the mentally ill. It has done so in all areas of institutional care for mentally ill, which include proper physical infrastructure, outpatient departments, human resources and other associated services like food, water and sanitation. Mental illness entails a possibility where grave human rights violations of people affected can occur leading to denial of basic human dignity. These basic facilities can ensure the protection of their dignity. Sensitivity of family members, doctors and other caregivers can further enhance their well being. The improvements in mental health care in many of these institutions across the country can be attributed to a large extent to the initiatives of the National Human Rights Commission. Today, there is need to supplement this improved institutional care with involvement of community. This alone will result in the protection of all rights of the mentally ill persons in accordance with the provisions of UN Conventions on the Rights of Persons with Disability. This is a compilation of reports prepared by Dr. L.D. Mishra on the basis of his inspection visits to 13 mental health institutions across the country while serving as Special Rapporteur to the Commission. Important issues relating to mental health care have been discussed in defferent chapters of the compilation. It was the inspiration of Hon’ble Chairperson, Justice Shri K.G. Balakrishnan and the Secretary General, Dr. Rajeev Sharma and dedicated efforts of Dr. Balbir Kaur Teja, Special Rapporteur that resulted in this useful output. Dr. Savita Bhakhry, Deputy Secretary (Research), Shri Nishith, Assistant and Shri Shayandeb have also contributed to the final shape of this book. While it lists the existing gaps it also highlights good practices which could be important beneficially implemented by other institutions and stakeholders. It is hoped that the publication would be put to best intended use. (J. S. Kochher) Joint Secretary (Training) NHRC Care and Treatment in Mental Health Institutions– Some Glimpses in the Recent Period 7