Comparing legislation for involuntary admission and treatment of mental illness in four South Asian countries.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Involuntary admission or treatment for the management of mental illness is a relatively common practice worldwide. Enabling legislation exists in most developed and high-income countries. A few of these countries have attempted to align their legislation with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This review examined legislation and associated issues from four diverse South Asian countries (Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) that all have a British colonial past and initially adopted the Lunacy Act of 1845.

Method

A questionnaire based on two previous studies and the World Health Organization checklist for mental health legislation was developed requesting information on the criteria and process for involuntary de

SUBMITTER: Dey S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6813093 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature