Statement by India under Agenda Item 3: Interactive Dialogue with Special Rapporteur on the Right of Everyone to the Enjoyment of the Highest Attainable Standard of Physical and Mental Health at 44th Session of the Human Rights Council (30 June – 21 July 2020), delivered by Mr. Vimarsh Aryan, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India, [Geneva, 06 July 2020] Statement by India under Agenda Item 3: Interactive Dialogue with Special Rapporteur on the Right of..
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Statement by India under Agenda Item 3: Interactive Dialogue with Special Rapporteur on the Right of Everyone to the Enjoyment of the Highest Attainable Standard of Physical and Mental Healthat 44th Session of the Human Rights Council (30 June – 21 July 2020), delivered by Mr. Vimarsh Aryan, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India, [Geneva, 06 July 2020]

Madam President,

  1. We thank the Special Rapporteur for the presentation of his final thematic report and take note of his efforts toamplify the importance of mental health within the right to health and to elevate the unique and interdependent relationship between mental health and the full enjoyment of all human rights.
  2. We also take note of the SR suggestion to move away from evidence-based practice to practice-based evidence, in order to achieve more local relevance in global mental health. This becomes more pertinent especially when there are contextual differences in mental health and related disabilities due to variable income of various countries as reported by the SR.

Madam President,

  1. Article 14 of the Indian Constitution guarantees that all persons with disabilities including mental illness enjoy equality before the law. The Legal Service Authority Act of 1986 entitles free legal aid to persons with mental illness.
  2. India has adopted the Mental Healthcare Act of 2017 which is a rights based statutory framework for mental health and decriminalizing suicide. The Act envisages promoting rights of persons with mental illness through active participation of all stakeholders in decision making. This is in addition to the National Mental Health Programme which focuses on the community-based care and promoting community participation in mental health development. The overall efforts of the States in ensuring enjoyment of all rights and dignity is key to mental wellbeing of all the persons.
  3. The healthcare reform in India is taking place at an unprecedented scaleand scope. Our holistic approach to healthcare with public-privatepartnership provides a unique model for the developing world.India has launched the National Health Protection Scheme in September2018. The scheme is based on twin pillars – expanding access to primaryhealthcare service through Health and Wellness Centres and providinginsurance coverage for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to poorand vulnerable families.
  4. Mental health awareness campaigns in India have yielded positive outcomes. Some of the strategies undertaken to target awareness and address stigma around mental illness include participation by family members, sensitization to treatment and social inclusion.
  5. We have also undertaken various positive measures to provide psycho-social support to the migrants who have been affected by the COVID19 pandemic.

Madam President,

  1. As the SR’s report was published around three months ago, we would like to hear the opinion of the SR on the current COVID19 pandemic situation and its likely effects on the mental health globally.

Thank you, Madam President.