The Department of Health and Family Welfare shall conduct a comprehensive assessment of facilities for the rehabilitation of persons acquitted on grounds of mental illness, as mandated under the Mental Health Care Act, 2017, the Kerala High Court has ordered.

The court was hearing a plea by a person from Pullepady who had been acquitted of the murder of a 10-year-old boy from his neighbourhood on grounds of unsoundness of mind. It was subsequently reported in court that even if the person was found medically fit to rejoin society, there were no facilities available for his reintegration. In this regard, the Department of Social Justice had submitted a report on the existing rehabilitation facilities for those with mental illness in Kerala.

The State informed that there is a scheme in place for the rehabilitation of undertrial prisoners and persons acquitted of charges due to unsoundness of mind. The scheme aims to transition them from mental healthcare facilities into approved psycho-social rehabilitation centres, operational across four designated non-governmental organisations in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, and Wayanad.

It was also reported that there are 97 such individuals fit for rehabilitation in government mental health centres in Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur, and that the department is taking steps to fix a timeline for their rehabilitation and continued care.

The court directed the State to establish a State Mental Health Authority and halfway homes under the mental health Act. The halfway homes are transitional living facilities for persons with mental illness who have been discharged but are not ready to live independently.

The department’s report also stated that six Ashabhavan centres house around 380 individuals, with each centre exceeding its capacity of 50 persons. These centres provide rehabilitation services to people who have been cured but require psycho-social support.

The court directed the State to assess the 120 registered psycho-social rehabilitation centres to verify whether they are capable of providing a secure and rehabilitative environment to their residents. These institutions can relieve the burden on Ashabhavan centres considerably while ensuring adequate support to the individuals, it said.