CHAIRPERSON NHRC Foreword The World Health Organization in 2002 elucidated that health is “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. In other words, it is a condition in which the person can realize his or her own potential, cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively and fruitfully, and is able to contribute to his or her community. Health is thus a vital resource for a nation’s development, and its absence represents a great burden to the economic, political and social functioning of any nation. The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights that was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 16 December cially interpreted by the Supreme Court to expand the meaning and scope of the right to life to include the right to health. It is, therefore, necessary that the mentally ill persons are ensured a life of dignity in the spirit of Supreme Court interpretation of the Constitution. Hence, they should not be discriminated or for that matter stigmatized or ostracized and there is a need to provide them with good quality care and treatment. They are required to be fully integrated into the mainstream of society. As part of the mandate given by the Supreme Court in 1997, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has been monitoring the functioning of three mental health hospitals at Agra, Gwalior and Ranchi. However, with the passage of time it has taken the responsibility of monitoring all the mental hospitals in the country. In this context, the Chairpersons, Members, Special Rapporteurs and officers of the NHRC have been visiting mental hospitals all over the country to know their functioning as well as find out the conditions of mentally ill patients admitted therein for treatment. In 1997-1998, it also undertook a research project on mental health with NIMHANS on “Quality Assurance in Mental Health”. In 2008-2009, the Commission brought out the latest status report on mental health entitled “Mental Health Care and Human Rights”. Though the situation with regard to mental health services in India has improved considerably, with the efforts of NHRC, a lot still needs to be done to protect Care and Treatment in Mental Health Institutions– Some Glimpses in the Recent Period 5